Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I second and commend the remarks of the last speaker. It is a very worthy cause. Senator Fitzgerald, other colleagues and I share a concern that the Government will not be answerable to the Houses of the Oireachtas for a period of two to three months for the extraordinary conditions which apply at the moment. We believe this is unacceptable and very wrong. Given the times we are in, it is contemptuous of the people who seek direction, leadership and hope. For this reason, it is a serious matter. Parliament should only be adjourned this year for the month of August. It would be a way of saying to the people that at least we empathise and understand their situation. Never would there be such an extraordinary set of circumstances pertaining whereby that would be necessary.