Mark Dearey (Green Party)

Senator Ross wondered about the Green Party view on this matter. Any semi-State body in receipt of public funds must be amenable to examination, questioning and oversight by the committees of the Houses. That applies in this case also.

The issue of whistleblower protection warrants debate. I, therefore, ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House to debate it. I noted the Minister's comments on the protections various Acts afforded people trying to expose corruption or malpractice within the sectors in which they operated. While I accept there are protections in these Acts, that does not replace the clarity, rights and protections such a charter would convey. I am familiar with the case mentioned by Senator Norris; there is no doubt a charter would have been a huge advantage to the individual involved. This is something we must consider, notwithstanding the protections people already enjoy in this area as outlined by the Minister yesterday.

I wish the crew of the Rachel Corrie well. The ship is at sea off the coast of County Wicklow and sailing to the city of Gaza with a cargo of humanitarian aid. The cargo, which I have seen, consists of cement, wheelchairs and medical supplies. It is highly likely that in the next few weeks the Rachel Corrie will be 20 miles off the coast of Gaza city and that the crew will be involved in a dispute with the Israeli authorities. It behoves us to keep a watching brief on the fate of the Irish citizens concerned and what is undoubtedly a humanitarian mission.

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Health and Children to the House to discuss the potential impact of the working time directive? This is a progressive directive from the European Union, but perhaps the Minister will discuss its impact on the ability of non-consultant hospital doctors to deliver services in local hospitals. I have in mind the very serious impact it will have in County Louth where Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Louth County Hospital will be seriously affected in different ways as the directive begins to take effect.