Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I share Senator Warfield's disappointment at the Court of Appeal's decision in Belfast yesterday in the Pat Finucane murder. My party fully supports the Finucane family in its attempt to have an independent investigation into this horrific act.

The Bus Éireann dispute is a serious matter. I join with colleagues who have raised it here this morning. It is a vital piece of infrastructure for rural areas, particularly those which have no rail network. I would appeal to the Leader to impress upon the Minister, Deputy Ross, the importance of this service to the nation. I stress that it is the opinion of not only the unions and the management of Bus Éireann but the wider public that savings need to be made. However, the management needs to engage with the unions so as this situation can be brought to a successful conclusion and that its public service obligation, PSO, should be properly funded.

Through the Leader, I wish the Taoiseach well this evening at his parliamentary party meeting. I extend him genuine best wishes. I would encourage him not to be bullied or intimidated out of office. At this time, whether we agree with his policies or not, this country needs his experience at European level, not egos and so-called interpreters and commentators sitting around a table negotiating on behalf of the country. We need the present Taoiseach and his experience to get the negotiations up and running.Fine Gael can deal with its leadership problems after that. That is my advice and I ask the Leader to relay it to his colleagues in the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party.