Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I would not have a problem with that. I will talk to the Leader about the matter. I do not want to interfere with the business of the House.

A number of questions were asked. Senator Colm Burke asked about Article 3.3 and the reference to "exceptional circumstances". Clearly it is a subjective test. It is impossible to predict what precisely is envisaged. Certainly, it refers to any unusual economic circumstances. It is clear that we are in an unusual economic period at the moment. Something along the lines of what he has suggested - a dramatic force majeure that would effect agricultural or agri-food output - would be taken into account.

I have to say the question of the United Kingdom distancing itself from Europe, and the consequences of that for Ireland, has been somewhat overplayed. The suggestion of a potential meltdown from an Irish point of view, simply because the UK is not part of this intergovernmental treaty, is unfortunate. I wish an agreement could have been reached between the 27 member states within the framework of the EU treaties. That was not possible, unfortunately. As has been said, this is not the first time our approach to European policy has deviated from that of the United Kingdom. Ireland's adoption of the euro is the best example of that. We have adopted a different position from the UK on numerous occasions. I do not think it-----