Alex White (Labour)

I agree with Senator O'Toole regarding the dispute in Cork, in respect of which there is a lack of public clarity. A strike has been referred to, but it is my understanding that staff were recently asked to sign a pledge. I am not making excuses for anyone, but there must be clarity around this issue in the Houses and publicly. The loss of vital services to people in Cork and further afield is unacceptable.

With regard to the nonsesnsical sideshow skirmish that is the question of who is doing more in terms of the Lisbon treaty debate, I appeal to all sides of the House and elsewhere to move on from it.