Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Last week, I called for a debate in the House on the eurozone summit that took place in July, particularly in light of the changing circumstances in Europe. I would not treat the comments of the IMF lightly. The IMF has made a significant statement about the need for Europe to get its act together. The situation with regard to the Greek debt has not yet been resolved. There are huge concerns and anxieties about the manner in which the situation is unfolding. There is a real sense of impending crisis. Commentators outside Europe are extremely concerned. All of that merits a substantial debate in the House. We will not have such an opportunity this week. Tonight's debate is specifically on the Bill. It will be guillotined, as the Taoiseach knows. We are facilitating that. We need a proper debate in this House on the broader and wider dimensions of the debt crisis in Europe. I ask the Government to allow time to facilitate that.

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