David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the violence we have seen in Belfast over the last couple of nights. While some in small sections of the media have attempted to characterise this as a clash between two communities, many seasoned commentators and security spokespersons in the North have correctly characterised it as an attack on a small Nationalist enclave. The involvement of the east Belfast brigade of the UVF in these clashes is sinister. I spoke to people on the ground in that community this morning and yesterday, and there is real fear about what is happening.

It would be helpful if this House were to adopt an all-party motion condemning the violence. In addition, we could explore the possibility of a visit by a cross-section of the parties and groups from this House to the Assembly to meet the parties and those who are involved with communities in these flashpoint areas. We must play our part in making sure that peace and dialogue are the way forward.

This is an important issue because there is an attempt by some in that organisation - one of those armed groups that have not left the stage - to bring people back to where they were in previous times. I am convinced the vast majority of Nationalists, republicans, Unionists and loyalists are not minded to go back. Everyone on this island has a job to do in continuing to support the peace process. I ask that my proposal to visit the Assembly be examined by the Leader.

I also ask the Leader whether he could move forward the discussion with the Minister for Health, which is supposed to take place on 7 July. It is important that we have this debate as soon as possible. I spoke to a number of medical professionals in Waterford Regional Hospital yesterday who are concerned about a shortage not just of junior doctors but also of nurses. Interestingly, one issue affecting hospitals is that agency workers are being employed, which affects hospital budgets. This shows that the recruitment embargo is not having the desired effect, because hospitals are spending more money by paying premium rates for agency workers. It does not make sense. The whole thing is not working. I ask for this debate to be taken sooner than planned.

I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business. I have asked on several occasions that we have a proper, robust discussion in this Chamber about the future of the joint labour committees. I am fearful that we could end up having a discussion when the Cabinet has carried out its deliberations and the decisions have already been made. That is not good enough. We should have an opportunity to have our say. I move an amendment that we ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to attend the House and take statements from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. and then take Private Members' business from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. It is important that we are not sidelined in this important debate and that Members of the House have an opportunity to have their say.

While the Cabinet is considering cutting the incomes of low-income families, perhaps the Leader of the House and his party could consider a Bill tabled by Sinn Féin in the Dáil, which attempts to cut the pay and generous allowances of Oireachtas Members of both Houses. That is what we should be focusing on, and not the incomes of low-paid workers.