Alex White (Labour)

I am putting this in the context of calling for a debate because it is a matter we must revisit in this House. It is extraordinary that there is a decision of An Bord Pleanála on a major infrastructural project and there is a policy in place for a number of years, but the Minister states he disagrees with it. How can we have government when, for example, on an issue like Shannon there are Ministers joining a queue to sign petitions? How can we have a policy on health when there are Ministers stating the HSE is dysfunctional? How can we have a serious waste policy when the Minister responsible for waste said he disagrees with a decision on a fundamentally important and significant infrastructural project? This is a serious matter and it is not good enough to blame Labour and Fine Gael. I ask that the Minister come into the House.