Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

The Cathaoirleach stated he wanted the Order of Business used by Members to seek debates. Last week the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform came to the House but failed to give much of an explanation as to why murder rates have increased by 50% or why the Deputy Leader of the House thinks this is a pantomime. We want to use the House properly to get answers.

Yesterday Senator Eoghan Harris expressed a clear view on the matter. It is the type of contribution the House should debate. We should get answers from Ministers on the issues raised in the House. Senator Fidelma Healy Eames asked yesterday how many more solicitors were involved in causing problems for house purchasers and the banking system in general. We should raise such issues in the House but when we do so, nothing further is done.

The Deputy Leader should not treat the issues we are discussing as pantomime politics. It is not pantomime politics; it is very serious.