Joe O'Toole (Independent)

We recognise that it exists on both sides of the House and we defer on this occasion to the excellent point raised by the Progressive Democrats in terms of the number of 5 metre high trucks that are leaving the port every day which will not be able to get into the tunnel. It will take an item off the Order Paper by allowing two items to be dealt with together, which is a useful way to proceed. It is very positive that the Whips are agreeing publicly on an issue – and one which is a very good idea.

A matter was raised yesterday by Senator Finucane that is hugely important. It is a long time since we had a serious discussion on the natural environment. We have many discussions on so called green issues. There have been a number of significant discussions in the other House in recent years and this has raised awareness. We touched on issues relating to trees and birds recently. A debate on the natural environment would allow Members to show their level of expertise and that they know more about trees than only those on O'Connell Street. Yesterday's proposal by Senator Finucane should be broadened to allow people to raise their concerns about the natural environment.

I was disappointed by the Leader's response to my call yesterday for a debate on the Estimates. We plan to debate transport matters until lunchtime, it seems appropriate that we could deal with the Estimates after that. What do the Estimates mean for the national development plan, the programme for Government or the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness? The House will adjourn until next week and these questions will be asked over the weekend. It is important that we have that debate, even if it is only to give the Government Senators a chance to sharpen their knives and decide how they are to deal with this publicly. The Estimates will be published at 3 p.m. A child from sixth class could read the Estimates, they are contained in a thick book and have lots of figures. It is not a complicated or complex book but if affects all of us. I ask the Leader to reconsider and permit a debate on the Estimates this afternoon.