Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

Yesterday, the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on the environment, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, said we would table amendments to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill. We will oppose the Bill in its current format.

I welcome last night's agreement between Germany and France on dealing with the Greek debt crisis. Can the Leader clarify the Irish negotiating position on this issue? On 25 May, the Taoiseach stated that he was not seeking an extension of the terms of our loan repayments. He said we would repay our loans, we will not restructure our debt and we are not looking for any further time. I thought that an astonishing statement. Last week, the Taoiseach said it should be acknowledged that the agenda being discussed at recent meetings, particularly of ECOFIN Ministers, was the agenda put forward by the Government. He was referring to restructuring the debt and lengthening the debt repayment terms. Can the Leader clarify Ireland's position? Are we looking for longer debt repayment terms?

The much discussed and vaunted decrease in the interest rate that was, apparently, agreed four months ago, has not come to pass. I remind Members that it has been confirmed by the Minister for Finance that any decrease in our interest rate will only apply to money not yet drawn down. I appreciate that these negotiations are very difficult. However, if they continue any further, by the time the Government achieves an interest rate cut there will be very little money left to be drawn down. The potential saving is now in the region of €120 million per year and not €440 million, as stated by the Minister for Finance at the start of the term.

I agree that the Government should carry out a review of capital projects and of the projects it will proceed with. The Seanad has discussed this matter on previous occasions. My concern is that the review is to be published in September. Will Senators have an input into the process or be able to discuss it? For example, a planning application for the building of the new national children's hospital has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála but the Government is not yet committed to going ahead with the project. It is part of the review of capital spending. This is a €650 million project and we are all agreed that a state-of-the-art children's hospital is required. The planning application has been lodged but the Government will not commit to building the hospital until it has carried out the review of capital expenditure. The same is true of many transport programmes, such as Metro North, the interconnector between Dublin public transport services and others.

When in September will the Government publish its review? Will this House be afforded an opportunity to contribute to the review?