Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Irrespective of political ideology, we should stand up for one another in this House. It was also disappointing that Members of the Seanad were not involved in the committee that drew up the Sláintecare report. The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill will come before the House this afternoon and I hope that Members here will speak about the need for us, as members of the Upper House and as public representatives, to be given a fair and equitable hearing, adequate resources and appropriate responsibilities. I will come back to that issue when we are discussing the aforementioned Bill because some of the carry on is less than helpful and is unacceptable.

We had a discussion on the national children's hospital during yesterday's Order of Business. The cost is of concern. It is disappointing to hear that the projected cost of the hospital has increased by approximately €400 million, which may have an impact on other projects.

Senator Gavan's interpretation of the Government's foreign policy is a bit like the voodoo economics of Sinn Féin.