Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I support my colleague Senator Healy Eames. People are frustrated and concerned that it is taking so long for the arms of the State to bring to book many of the people who caused so much misery in this country. We would all like to see the justice system moving much faster to resolve some of the ongoing situations.

I join with other speakers in welcoming the clarity that has emerged from the informal European Council meeting last night. It has obviously confirmed the stability treaty is not up for renegotiation and will not change. If we reject the treaty, Europe will move on without us and we will not have access to the new European bailout fund, the European Stability Mechanism. What is of particular concern is that people who have a vested interest in seeing chaos across Europe and stand to gain financially are getting so much airtime on so many of our radio and television stations. That is a matter politicians and the political establishment must deal with as my Labour Party colleague said earlier.

Sinn Féin would also want to be honest with the people.