Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Paul Bradford's call for a debate on last night's developments in Brussels. I am sure we all welcome these developments. I congratulate the Taoiseach and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Lucinda Creighton, on their contribution to a resolution of the Greek problem.

I am pleased to note that a proposal raised yesterday in the House by Senator Feargal Quinn in regard to the extension of daylight hours was supported at yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality by the Chairman, Deputy David Stanton, and the Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter. It would be appropriate to commence debate in this House on the desirability of accepting that proposal. This issue is generally raised just as the time change is about to take place. I ask the Leader to organise a timely debate on the matter, perhaps in the new year.

An individual has been protesting outside Leinster House since last July. He is there almost every day looking to engage with any Member who will speak to him. This person is making outrageous allegations against the Garda, the Judiciary, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Courts Service. It projects a poor image of the Oireachtas. Will the Leader explore the possibility with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, of carrying out a preliminary investigation to ascertain whether there is any basis to this individual's allegations? If there is not, he should not be allowed to position himself permanently outside Leinster House making these allegations. On the other hand, if there is any substance to his claims, it is a different matter. It would be appropriate for the Minister to examine the issue in the interests of fairness to the individual concerned who enjoys some support and the bodies and persons about whom he is complaining.