Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

This morning, Senator O'Toole raised an important question for Members as legislators. While the item in question will not grab any headlines, I regard it as a fundamental issue for Members. I refer to the unfortunate woman who, in the festive season, sits outside Leinster House, day in and day out. She is cold, wet, embarrassed and feeling hurt.

I understand the House's procedures, and it is easy for Members to pass in and out and, to a large degree, ignore her. However, surely Members should get down from their pedestals from time to time and stretch out their hands to an unfortunate individual like that, who feels she has no voice and who feels dispossessed.

She feels that she has been treated badly in the past and is being treated badly at present. Surely, it would be good for the nation's morale to show how humane we can be, despite procedures and legislation. I commend Senator O'Toole on having put this matter on the record this morning. I hope that in the next few days, the woman will be taken in, given a cup of tea, treated with humanity and that Members will make an effort to ascertain whether she can be helped in some way. That is why all Members came into the House in the first instance.