Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Senator Darragh O'Brien, among others, referred to yesterday's events in Brussels. The developments have been generally welcomed, but we need time to digest everything in the agreed programme. As some have observed, working the deal does not mean passively submitting to it; rather, it means attempting to make the deal serve us in a better way in negotiating on issues. However, the deal is working for Ireland. The economy has begun to grow, the public finances have stabilised and the budget deficit is starting to decline. Investors' confidence in our ability to tackle successfully our economic and budgetary problems has greatly improved in recent months, as everybody can see. It must be acknowledged that we have secured better terms under the deal. As Senator Feargal Quinn observed, our good name is of paramount importance. Renegotiating the deal would be enormously costly and disruptive. The alternative to working it is to repudiate it, which means walking away from a set of international commitments solemnly entered into by the Government. Ireland is certainly not Greece. The Government will continue in a meaningful way to secure the best possible deal for the country. I will arrange a debate on the matter as soon as possible, once Members have had a chance to digest the contents of the report.

In regard to today's debate on health, 36 questions have been tabled to the Minister for Health who has given an undertaking that if he does not have time to answer all of them, he will provide written replies. However, I am confident he will be able to deal with all of the issues raised. I am criticised, on the one hand, for not allocating enough time for spokespersons, while the argument, on the other, is that seven minutes is too much and that a smaller allocation for spokespersons would allow other Members an opportunity to contribute. I am sure spokespersons will ask the questions tabled by them and their colleagues, after which there will be an opportunity for other issues to be raised. The Minister has pressing engagements in the remainder of the day and must depart at 1.45 p.m. As such, extending the time allowed for the debate is, unfortunately, not feasible. However, we may invite the Minister to return at a later date for further discussion.

I will go along with the Cathaoirleach's ruling on Senator Rónán Mullen's question about last night's Private Members' debate. I do not intend to get into that discussion today. The Senator made certain allegations about the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, which he subsequently withdrew.