Alex White (Labour)

I did not hear Senator O'Reilly earlier but I am sure he was as lucid and persuasive as ever. I heard and agree with other colleagues' calls for some means by which this House could involve itself in a deeper, more meaningful and useful level of debate, especially with regard to current economic difficulties.

Not wanting to be the party pooper, however, I must remind the House that we have been asking for this for well over a year. The Leader is in the habit of telling anyone who raises it to talk to their party leaders as if they are resisting these calls behind the scenes. This must be taken on now. We do not need a Minister or Minister of State sitting in the Chamber reading papers for some other commitment he or she has for tonight or tomorrow. We can manage debates without them. However, Standing Orders will probably have to be changed, particularly if we want to bring people in from outside of the House.