Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

The Order of Business is agreed. Will the Leader ask the relevant Minister provide more detail about the group comprising Government, trade union and employer representatives that has been established to look at the causes of inflation and strategies to combat it? In light of widespread concern about the pace of inflation, overpricing and profiteering, Members would be interested in studying the work of this group. While I do not know when its report is due, the relevant Minister should make it available at the earliest possible opportunity. Measures have to be taken to combat the overpricing and profiteering that has gone on in the past year.

Will the Leader arrange a debate on the developments at European level on a European constitution? Monumental proposals on the future of Europe are being made. With our experiences of the Nice treaty referenda we know it is extremely important to keep politicians and the public informed. The Seanad has a particular role to play in this.