As per the Order for today, No. 23, Statements on Pre-European Council Meeting 24-25 October will be taken later. This meeting presents an important opportunity for meaningful discussion between the Irish Parliament and the European Union. The 65 minutes allocated for statements on this issue is divided between Government and Opposition Members. I have been in the House previously during such discussions which traditionally have been meaningless and window-dressing. It is important that Members of the Dáil have an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion-----

This is not relevant to the Order of Business.

Sorry, a Cheann Comhairle-----

The Deputy is not allowed to raise these issues on the Order of Business. This was a matter for the Order of Business earlier.

The German Minister for Finance, Mr. Wolfgang Schäuble, had the temerity to say on our budget day-----

I appreciate all of that but I ask for the Deputy's co-operation.

-----that Ireland is fine. I resent that and said so in this House during the four minutes allocated to me on the day. It is wrong that he should make that gratuitous comment about Ireland on budget day, which is actually unfounded. There is no evidence to support it.

I must ask the Deputy to resume his seat. I call Deputy Niall Collins.

Deputy Mathews is correct. He should be allowed to contribute to the debate.

Perhaps Deputy Martin will share five minutes of his time with the Deputy.

Maybe the Taoiseach will do so.