Alex White (Labour)

I welcome the Fine Gael initiative and this motion which my party will support, in content and intention. Senator Boyle said he seeks to minimise the level of disagreement that exists. However, when we look at the amendment we do not see a real engagement with what was tabled by Fine Gael Members. Instead we see this tried and trusted formula, namely, to delete the entirety of what was proposed and substitute the Government' s amendment. I say this for the umpteenth time on Private Members' business.

That is unfortunate. If there really were the level of agreement about which Senator Boyle talks, we should have had meaningful discussion between parties prior to the session and put down on paper the basis of the agreement the Senator claims exists. We do not serve that purported agreement by knocking out the entirety of the proposal put forward by the Fine Gael Members and substituting the Fianna Fáil motion. That is not agreement but the deletion and insertion of an entirely new motion.

In her introduction, Senator McFadden carefully and very compellingly set out the context in which the issue was raised. People face a very real human situation. Members on all sides of the House know that and I do not suggest that colleagues on the opposite side are not aware of or do not confront or hear about this problem every day of the week. I am sure Ministers do so too. The question is what are we going to do about it and when will we do it. The point has been made repeatedly that there has been a comprehensive response by the Government on this question. I disagree with the proposal relating to NAMA.

That ringing telephone shows incredible disrespect to the House. I am sorry the Member is not present now because I do not like to say things when somebody steps out. When a telephone rings, the very least one would do is switch it off.