Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I appreciate that the Cathaoirleach is away but a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges must be convened as soon as possible to address this matter.

I note from the Leader that the State Airports Bill concerning the future of Aer Rianta and the various airport boards is not on next week's business. Is the Leader stating the Bill will not be taken in the House next week? A number of Opposition amendments in the Dáil were not reached because the Government chose to guillotine the Bill. This House has a proud record in how it orders business. The Leader is more than honourable in the way in which she provides time for debate. It would be wrong to take the Bill in its current draft in the House next week. Will the Leader confirm it is her intention that it will not be introduced to the House next week and will be left over for the autumn?

Yesterday at the Forum for Europe in Dublin Castle, one Sinn Féin representative stated that the new constitution on Europe copperfastened the democratic deficit. For that party to lecture any of us on the notion of democracy is ridiculous. Statements like this must be challenged. This small political party is neo-nationalist with connections with other neo-nationalists in western Europe. Its eurosceptic view of the future development of the EU has nothing positive to contribute. It has literally got away with murder for the past ten years with comments such as this. This is the same political party that had the neck to oppose the Maastricht treaty, which saw the introduction of the single currency, while lecturing on the need for a one island economy in Ireland. How one can have a one island economy without a single currency is beyond me. These right-wing views from this neo-nationalist outfit must be challenged. It is incumbent on all Members to challenge such comments and highlight the complete failure on the part of Sinn Féin to offer anything positive to the country's development.