Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Several national and international events have taken place over recent days which need to be debated in this House and should be reflected in our work and on the Order of Business. We have seen the shocking and worrying pictures of the Israeli military boarding a flotilla of ships delivering aid to the people of Gaza and Irish citizens in international waters effectively being kidnapped, as described by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I welcome the Leader's statement that the Minister will be in the House tomorrow to debate this important topic.

We were also told an additional €2 billion has been offered to Anglo Irish Bank. I hear on the doorsteps every day about special needs provision being cut back and food budgets in residential care institutions being cut by €50 a week in many instances, and we had statements from the Minister for Social Protection about welfare reform. We need a proper and comprehensive debate about welfare to work and building the appropriate supports around education and training and child care opportunities. Will the Leader arrange debates on these topical and important issues this week if we are to ensure the House is relevant?

In that context, one issue is distracting from the important attention these issues deserve and causing significant public concern and that is the expenses of one Member of the House, Senator Callely. That has led to reasonable questions being raised and I would like that Member to be afforded the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding these reports. Will the Leader make time available for a statement by Senator Callely on these matters? It is related to our work and such a statement should be addressed to the House. Will the Leader respond to that request and make time available in order that we can send a clear message from this House on these matters?