Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I am aware of that.

Will the Deputy Leader consider inviting the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, to the House to discuss the overseas aid programme, with particular reference to Ethiopia? This issue has generated a great deal of controversy and my colleagues in the foreign affairs committee will be aware that it has been debated over the past number of weeks. The issues being raised by the NGOs, John O'Shea, the Minister and others are worthy of a wider debate and this House would be the ideal vehicle for that.

I agree with my colleague, Senator Mansergh, and I am glad he raised the issue, that the attack on the home of Councillor Mary White is unacceptable in a democracy. She is an elected representative and if the people who attempted to blow her and her husband to smithereens feel so strongly about the particular issue, why do they not stand for election?