Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

I do not believe the Taoiseach would be obliged to go as far as Auckland or Melbourne to find a person to represent the Irish diaspora. Perhaps he might bear in mind those in Britain, for example, who work on behalf of members of the diaspora who have not been so fortunate and who have not experienced the major successes enjoyed by others.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Creighton, on her marriage and I wish her well.

Tomorrow, the House is due to take statements on the revised memorandum of understanding with the EU and the IMF. It is good that time is being made available for such statements. However, I notice it is not envisaged that the House will vote on the subject. It is ridiculous that we are due to make statements on a document that has not yet been published. Others elsewhere have had sight of this document but the House has not. I previously inquired of the Taoiseach in respect of this matter, particularly in the context of the publication of the memorandum of understanding. I put it to him that he is asking the House to take statements on a document which Members have not seen. That does not make sense. Will the Taoiseach indicate why he is resisting taking a vote in respect of this matter?

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