Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I was interested to establish whether a reference would be made to the unfolding euro crisis, especially the German failure to raise funds on the bond market. Despite all the issues raised on the Order of Business, will the Deputy Leader, at the very least, convey the genuine concerns people have about their savings, the status of the currency and the ongoing crisis, which changes on a daily basis? It is incumbent on the Government to issue a statement of intent. What is its position in light of the most recent developments? It seems as if eurozone countries, led by France, are initiating a process that Germany is resisting, whereby eurobonds will be issued and the ECB will act as a lender of last resort.

The reason I raise this is all the commentary in the print and electronic media refers to the collapse of the euro. To ensure people do not panic about this, it is incumbent on the Government to act in the national interest to allay the fears of citizens and it should outline its policy going forward. I appreciate we are a small country subject to a bailout and our voice is not as strong in Europe as it used to be but when an editorial in the Irish Independent uses the chilling line that because of the euro currency crisis, what the Minister for Finance presents to the people in the Dáil on budget day may be totally irrelevant, we are in a new, dangerous place.

I do not anticipate that the Minister for Finance, the Tánaiste or the Taoiseach will come to the House but, at the very least, will the Deputy Leader convey the serious concerns people have and respond accordingly? Will the Government issue a public statement to reassure citizens about their savings, the status of the euro and, most important, outline policy in this area? The policy seems to be somewhat fumbling and fudging. I cannot get clarity in anything I have read, seen, or heard over the past two weeks. The Government parties are muddling through and they await the next crisis before giving a reaction.

I agree with Senator Paul Coghlan's comments about the status of diplomatic relations with the Vatican. It is not about whether Mr. David Cooney, who has been a friend of mine for many years and who is a respected Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, is up to the job or whether he will be effective, it is about Vatican policy. We are in the second tier of nations as a result of removing ourselves from being in situ in Vatican City. That is the key issue and that is poor "statecraft", as Senator Mullen described it a few weeks ago. That is damaging to Irish interests.

I want to be sure that Senator Walsh's amendment has been seconded.