Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

It has often been said, including by the Ceann Comhairle, that the Government proposes and the House disposes. A debate has been organised on this issue up until 3.30 p.m. but it is Opposition Deputies who have to keep it going. This raises a general issue of how the Oireachtas is viewed by the people. I always defend the Oireachtas when general issues are raised about it and about politics and our political system, but we now have what is known as the "empty chamber syndrome". It is not unique to Ireland; it happens in other parliaments. Often the fault lies on the Government side. A good proportion of Opposition Deputies would be present for various debates and the empty seats tend to be on the Government benches. We need to work on this on a cross-party basis.

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