Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

Given the withdrawn ESRI report, if would be helpful if the Leader asked the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, to attend the House urgently to clarify the facts about social welfare entitlements. This issue needs to be resolved quickly. Many concerns are being raised nationally, but we want to ensure our social welfare rates encourage work.

I must express my outrage at a third leak from the Bundestag and Germany's most powerful finance committee. Do German politicians not realise our sensitivities? It is an insult to Irish people. We just concluded a long, arduous and confusing campaign and got a "Yes" vote. We are playing our part. The Commission must take responsibility and take action against the Bundestag, which does not deserve to receive another report unless it commits to preventing leaks without the agreement of all EU committees. Our finance committee received the report from the Commission at the same time. This situation is not good enough. It is important the Leader asks the Tánaiste and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Creighton, to convey our concerns. If every European parliament behaved in that way, we would never get anything done. I agree with Senator Mullen, in that work should be done quietly until an agreement or decision is reached. Leaks prevent progress.