We heard earlier in this session about the large numbers of refugees - those seeking international safety - who will land on our shores and we are all anxious to respond in the fullest way that we can. It is essential that the Opposition is fully briefed on Government plans for accommodation and service provision in the short, medium and long term. It is essential that the Tánaiste makes clear to the House that party leaders will be briefed and that the House in its entirety will be briefed on the specific approach that Government will take and on the specific resource that will be made available. This has to happen as a matter of urgency. People are rightly, in a sense of compassion and concern, asking how we will manage all of this and Government needs to respond.

This is an unprecedented situation and we need unanimity, throughout this House but also among the local representatives throughout the country.

We need to know what a standard resource document will look like for us to be able to deal with the problems and the issues we are facing. We are going to be running around between voluntary groups and statutory bodies and competing with ourselves sometimes in this regard and that just cannot happen. We must have an update to the House from all the Ministers to the spokespersons across all the different areas, in order that we can all work together on this.