Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I would have thought that who appears in this House is relevant. When will the Leader provide time to allow the Tánaiste to come into the House to outline the view of the Government on this matter? We got into difficulty on the Nice treaty because people's views were overlooked. People felt an elite group was in control and it is the case that the Government appears to be doing something which is completely at variance with two standing committees of the House, and that is worthy of debate. I know the Leader accepts that and I ask that the Tánaiste would come here and that the House would debate the matter. The European Parliament will debate this issue next week. Every other parliament in the European Union has debated it. This House and the other House should debate the matter urgently in plenary session so the Government, in whatever position it takes, will reflect the views of the people on 27 November.