Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I have great sympathy for the points raised. I have discussed this issue in the House before and said many times that we in the South also have to make our contribution and put up with the release of people we would prefer to remain incarcerated. I held that position strongly, so long as such people were part of the Good Friday Agreement. Then the people involved in this case went to court and as far as I can recall — I stand to be corrected — it was determined that they were not part of the Good Friday Agreement. A clear assurance was given by the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that they would not be seen as part of the Good Friday Agreement and therefore would not qualify for early release on that basis.

It now appears that there has been a new negotiation. I thoroughly object to that because it opens the floodgates. I defended the previous initiative, before the Supreme Court ruling that they did not qualify under the Good Friday Agreement but I considered that they would have to be released. However, since the Supreme Court ruling that is no longer the case. Assurances were given and the Government should not concede on this issue. It gives a bad impression and leaves the way open for this type of situation to be replicated in the future.

On a different issue, I neglected to thank the Leader yesterday for arranging for the first time a debate on the budget in Government time. I very much appreciate it, as do other Members on this side of the House. It is good to get an opportunity to have our say on the budget so quickly. I would also like to thank Senator Leyden for getting funding for €500,000 for Donamon in his constituency in County Roscommon. Senator Ryan, who had distinguished and eminent connections with that same building years ago, may have had something to do with it as well. Perhaps, between the two of them, they managed to lobby successfully.

I would imagine that the Labour Party feels a certain draught at the moment in that the socialist Taoiseach appears to be taking over its ground. We are quite confused on this side of the House. We do not know which way to look.