Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

We have to be concerned about that. To some extent we feel helpless and hopeless in terms of dealing with this matter. However, as a sovereign State and member of the European Union, particularly in our Presidency role and against the background of the proposed visit by President Bush in the coming months, we must be cognisant of what is happening there.

My colleague, Senator Ryan, asked the Leader yesterday to ask the Department of Finance why it was necessary for 20 staff to be here for the Finance Bill. If she has a reply, I would like to hear it.