Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I join others in condemning the situation in Gaza; it is completely intolerable. As Senator Ó Murchú rightly said, if we were discussing any other country, for instance the situation in Iran springs to mind, even though there is much solidarity shown internationally in respect of the tragedy that has taken place there, the reaction would be much greater. I hope, therefore, the appropriate action will be taken in line with many of the suggestions made.

I join Senator Donohoe in asking for a debate on banking, an issue we must visit at least once a month. It is important that we provide for clarification to the public as to why additional moneys were made available to Anglo Irish Bank yesterday and also ensure credit will flow again. It is true that the contractions in the availability of credit are in line with the contractions in the demand for credit, both from SMEs and others, but this is not to say there is not substantial anecdotal evidence that credit is not flowing to the extent we would all like.

I wholeheartedly welcome the fact that from today the expenses of all Members are to be published on the Oireachtas website on a monthly basis. This should always have been the case. Any measures which, as Senator O'Toole said, can affect the dwindling reputation of politics as a profession have to be welcomed wholeheartedly. In that regard, Members on this side of the House are not immune from adhering to the the practice of aspiring to the highest levels of propriety in respect of their expenses and in carrying out of their duties on behalf of their public. In that context, we welcome the opportunity to have a debate on all issues relating to expenses. With reference to the issues mentioned in the media in recent days, if it is the case that Members wish to clarify their situation, this would be welcomed. All Members are entitled to due process, but we all have a responsibility — as demonstrated by the belated publishing of all expenses on a website — to ensure all aspects of our work here become more transparent and that we build confidence in what, after all, is, as we all know, a noble profession and one which demands and requires respect.