Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

On the issue of social partnership and unpaid leave in lieu of pay deductions, the editorial in The Irish Times today says it all - a Government out of touch. Having gone on for many months about the need to save €4 billion in the budget and having secured the support of the Opposition parties on the essential savings needed to bring the public finances under control, the Government has now entertained this proposal. This brings discredit, not only to the whole notion of social partnership but to the Government for its lack of leadership.

Senator O'Toole called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come into the House to speak on the issue of human rights in Colombia, the relationship between the European Union and Colombia and the new trade agreement. It would be useful if the Minister came into the House to speak about Irish foreign policy because there is an issue about human rights in Colombia and our relationship with that country.

There is also an issue about what has emerged from the Murphy report and the commission of investigation into child abuse in the context of the co-operation received from the Vatican. If there are to be further investigations in other dioceses, it is important the matter is resolved through diplomatic channels. The Minister has requested the papal nuncio to report on the matter. He should then report to the House on what happened at that meeting.

I wish to raise another human rights issue, namely, that the Minister has been refused permission to visit Gaza. This is an extraordinary affront to the Irish State. I would like to hear from the Minister for Foreign Affairs what will be his response to this insult. I know it is a sensitive subject, given the findings of the UN fact-finding mission led by Mr. Justice Richard Goldstone and his report on the Gaza conflict in which he said there was serious indications of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. In that context it would be very useful if the Minister would come to the House and report in general on those matters.