Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The implication of welcoming people back is to give the impression, which is well understood outside the Houses, that politicians do nothing in the intervening period. I will not welcome anybody back because I have seen most Members around the Houses most days during the summer. This is just another form of work and it is important to make that point.

A crucial point should be made with regard to the Minister for Transport. We must guard against cynicism in politics of which we saw another example this week, when the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, did a Ray Burke. Ray Burke was famous for opening bridges by planting flowers and taking away the flowers the following day when the opening was over. Deputy Brennan went to Wicklow three days ago to open a new bypass with great aplomb. There were television cameras, cheers and applause. The following day the bypass was closed again because it had not been completed in terms of signage, safety features and so forth. That type of thing brings politics into disrepute. He did the same with speed cameras which were never appropriate for the job. We should not accept that type of behaviour from Ministers.

The Minister has done other good things. He got the roads programme back on track, for which I give him credit. Roads are being completed before time and on budget. Fair play to him for doing that. He is entitled to exult in that and to look for a satisfactory response from the public for it. However, this business of opening a bypass before it is ready simply because it is one's last couple of days in office and one will get one's name on the plaque and one's photograph in the newspaper and on the 9 o'clock news just breeds cynicism.

I wish to raise another issue, one which I have raised many times in the House. I will raise it as calmly as possible now. Can the Leader give us a breakdown, timeline and schedule as to what is likely to happen in the Judge Curtin impeachment proceedings? It appears that our committee of hard working, decent, honourable and committed people will be hung out to dry on this insoluble situation. It is another example of politics being brought into disrepute. This should have been dealt with months ago in the manner many of us suggested. It is not going anywhere at present.