David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I thank sincerely all of the Senators who responded to the letter sent on behalf of the Sinn Féin Senators a number of weeks ago on speaking time. We received a positive response from Senators of all political parties. In regard to what the Leader of the House had to say today on the statements which would be taken on two important topics, with respect, he missed the point. Whether Sinn Féin Members are allowed to ask the first or last question is not the issue. The issue we raised concerned speaking time. What we were asking for, because the Leader is allowing spokespersons of the various groups eight minutes, was that a Sinn Féin representative be given five minutes. That would be fair and reasonable. I, therefore, propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that a Sinn Féin representative be given five minutes in both discussions and hope we will receive the support from Members of all sides of the House promised to us when we wrote to them in good faith recently.

In the past few days I have referred on a number of occasions in this House to the need for a proper discussion on the budget. The Government has leaked much of what will be included in it in terms of cuts in capital spending and to the social welfare budget. Announcements are to be made today on public sector reform. There is a debate on every television programme and, I am sure, in the canteen in every workplace throughout the country on what should and should not be included in the budget.

We in this House are not being given an opportunity to properly tease out alternative proposals being made by all the various groupings and individuals. That is wrong. Why is it okay to have a debate in the media? In this House we are elected to scrutinise policy and engage with the Minister on the budget but we are not given a proper opportunity to do so.

The Leader yesterday indicated that he would try to facilitate a speaking slot for this issue. I call for a half day of discussions in this regard. The Order of Business and what has been on the agenda in this House over the past number of weeks has been pathetic. We need proper debate in the House if we are to take it seriously, which elected Senators do. I urge the Leader to ensure that we have proper opportunities for a full discussion on what will be in the budget. In the past all politicians were accused of being asleep at the wheel but if we are not being given an opportunity to have discussions and debate, it is not our fault that we are not able to provide scrutiny. Proper space is not being made available for us to have such discussions. I will be formally moving the amendment to the Order of Business that we be given five minutes for both statements which are being taken today.