Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

We are in a time of crisis and the Government has sought, and is getting, co-operation from Opposition parties. There is a lesson in this for the future, namely, that the Taoiseach and the Government should not be so dismissive of proposals put forward by the Opposition to improve the state of the economy. The tendency has been to ignore the Oireachtas and to dismiss Opposition proposals and many of the announcements relating to initiatives relating to the economy are made outside the Houses of the Oireachtas. Co-operation works both ways. There is an onus on all Members of the Oireachtas to co-operate in times of crisis such as this. That co-operation has been forthcoming but it works both ways.

The motion in regard to the European judicial network in civil and commercial matters will be taken without debate. I have no difficulty with that but point out that Ireland opted into this network in 2001.