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I second the proposal by Senator Cullinane to amend the Order of Business to ask the Minister for Health to come to the House. As was pointed out last week, he most certainly is hiding. The only legislation with which he came to the House was something which was agreed on by all parties. We will have a very useful question and answer session with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, which has been organised by the Leader. This is a great idea, and if the Minister for Health has time, and if it would not be too much bother, perhaps he will participate in a question and answer session in the House and not come to discuss a Bill which has all-party agreement. I guarantee that every seat in the House would be occupied and we could put the questions that all of us, on both sides of the House, have. Then we would not accuse him of hiding from us and going to China, as Senator Leyden pointed out, on a very dubious mission. He has the ability to go to China but not the ability to cross the corridor to come here.

I propose that during each term every Minister comes to the House for a question and answer session. All Members would find this most beneficial.

Senator Darragh O’Brien spoke about Palestinian statehood. In the article in The Irish Times, the Tánaiste quoted Robert Emmet’s statement about Ireland taking its place among the nations of the earth. Palestine is seeking to become the 94th state recognised by the United Nations. I agree with the Tánaiste that we can disagree with our friends. We can disagree with the United States and Israel. The motion will be put before the United Nations next Friday and I hope the same motion will be tabled and supported by all parties in the House. I hope we will vote on it and recognise the Palestinian state. 

While I agree with the deputy Leader that we should try to bring around the EU to our point of view, we all know it is not likely because the EU cannot get its house in order on any issue when it comes to foreign policy. If the EU is not willing to support the resolution that comes before the General Assembly, then Ireland should act alone, have its independent foreign policy and support Palestinian statehood. Back in 1919, we found ourselves alone when no one would support us at the Versailles. I ask for all-party agreement when the motion on recognition of Palestinian statehood is tabled on the Order Paper next Tuesday.