Joe O'Toole (Independent)

In addition, there should be details on the redress proposed by the Senator. I do not want anyone to ask subsequently what did Members expect because I have just outlined what I expect, namely, five issues and five matters to be dealt with. Moreover, this should be placed on the record of the House in a clean, simple and straightforward fashion. This is how Members will move on and as I also have expressed this view to Senator Callely, there should be no doubt as to where I stand on this matter. I look forward to what he has to say and there will be time enough to come to conclusions thereafter. However, it is fair to record the exact reference frame within which Members will judge the impact of his statement and his communication with the Cathaoirleach or both, which I presume will be brought to the attention of the House or the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, as appropriate.

While the House is navel-gazing on its own issues, the world outside goes on. The most sickening thing to happen over the weekend was that, at a time when Members have been bailing out banks, looking after the finances of the country and the economy, taking all the difficult measures and agree that ordinary people are experiencing difficulties with regard to loan repayments, jobs, unemployment and so on, the Government began to target lone parents.