Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

A speech in which the Taoiseach stated civil servants must earn their benchmarking payments has been widely reported today. Many people will be asking questions about Deputies, Senators, Ministers and the Taoiseach. I do not agree with making simplistic, headline-seeking remarks on the number of days we sit or the way in which we sign in because most politicians, including me, work at least five days per week. I frequently give up most of my free time on Saturdays and Sundays to do political work. The focus should be on whether the work we do in the House when it sits is worthwhile and effective. This week's business, for example, has not been organised in the most effective manner, in that the Committee and Final Stages of important legislation have been squeezed into two days with a drip-feed of MEPs scheduled on the remaining two days. While I support the idea that the House should have a greater role in monitoring European affairs, it is not being done properly. I wonder why Pat Cox, MEP, who recently came before the House, is to come before us again this week.