Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Prendergast, Buttimer, Quinn, Coghlan, MacSharry, Norris, Healy Eames, Mary White, Cummins, Feeney, Mullen and Ó Murchú commented on the reports in the media today about the House not sitting yesterday. Never was it further from the truth that this House would have anything to do with a golf event. It had nothing to do with a golf event. As everyone knows, I have done everything I possibly could to facilitate the requests often made of me, which I have always listened to, by the leaders of the groups, the Whips, and all Members for debates on whatever issue in this House.

Regarding the position on the Tuesdays in May, since I first became Leader of this House in 1997, I have offered the hand of friendship to the leaders of the various groups, a courtesy which to my knowledge was not offered before my time, by facilitating a weekly meeting with the leaders of the groups in the House, which I found useful and helpful. I have often thanked the leaders of the groups for their assistance to me. However, last week no leader turned up for the meeting. Today, Labour and Fine Gael turned up for the meeting. Last Tuesday, the business proceeded and the Cathaoirleach correctly pointed out to the House last Thursday, when the Government Whip proposed that we would sit today at 2.30 p.m., that there was no objection to that.