Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Taoiseach has a majority of three in this Chamber. That constitutes, in real terms, Deputies Harney, Healy-Rae and Lowry. I am sure many would say, "God help us," but I would say, "God help the Taoiseach." In spite of these circumstances, there are four vacant seats in this House. One by-election campaign is currently under way. It is the most tenuous position any Government has been in, certainly in my time as a Member of this House and for some time before.

Has the Green Party, including Deputy John Gormley, a role in the engagement with Deputies Healy-Rae and Lowry in regard to the Government's arrangement with them? Is it just a Fianna Fáil relationship? Will the Taoiseach clarify whether the leader of the Green Party has direct involvement with him in the relationship with the two Deputies?

With regard to the proposed casino development in County Tipperary, whose desirability or otherwise I will not address this morning, I have noted a couple of comments by Deputy Lowry. He has given vocal support for the project. He is quoted as having said he expects the Government to publish shortly "a report it commissioned on the gaming laws" and to issue "a policy statement indicating that enabling legislation will be introduced which would allow the casino to operate". Is this the case?

Leaving aside the argument as to whether the casino proposal merits support across the board, has Deputy Lowry, in his role as a Government-supporting Independent, some special relationship with the Government in regard to the matter? He certainly has information that the Taoiseach has not shared in the Dáil Chamber heretofore. Would this include direct engagement with the Minister for Justice and Law Reform? Will the Taoiseach confirm that there is a policy statement in the offing to the effect that enabling legislation will be introduced, as Deputy Lowry claims? Whatever about the proposition in question, surely gaming laws should always be based solely on the public good and be mindful of the very serious gambling addictions that exist in Irish society.

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