I join with colleagues in condemning the appalling loss of life in the past week in Gaza and in Israel. I echo the call to invite the Tánaiste to the House for a discussion on that worsening crisis, particularly in light of our history of conflict and the contribution Ireland could make to resolve it.

There is no way to dress this up. We have witnessed acts of unacceptable terrorism by both sides in the past few days. I call on both sides to co-operate with those who trying to bring an end to hostilities, in particular, the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. I also call on the international community to throw its weight behind the efforts to bring about a long-term solution. The actions of the Israelis in striking against the Palestinians in the past week are totally unacceptable, but Hamas is exploiting vulnerable people in Gaza to achieve its own aims and objectives, similar to what we witnessed in this country over a period of 30 years. This is a major international crisis in which some of the most powerful countries are involved in some way or other and on which I urge the Leader to organise a debate as soon as possible with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Will the Leader also organise in the coming months a debate on broadcasting standards and, in particular, the quality of home-made programmes? The programme referred to, "Love/Hate", is shockingly violent. I do not know if the public good is served by the airing of such a violent and horrible programme. There are other programmes on which we might like to comment at a future date.

I join others in calling for a debate on the conflict in Gaza and the escalating death toll. It is no coincidence that this is happening at the same time as the Israeli elections. It seems to be part of the election cycle in Israel that when a general election is called, the Prime Minister decides to attack Gaza and the other side responds. There are no clean hands in these situations. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on the issue as soon as possible.

Senator Darragh O'Brien raised issues about openness and transparency in government. As I pointed out previously, only 2% of the legislation enacted in Ireland in a given year is debated by the Dáil and the Seanad, with 98% being implemented outside the Houses, much of it by officials, public servants and members of the cabinet, and very few at that. When we are appointing senior policymakers and advisers, as was the case last week with the Minister, Deputy Gilmore, openness and transparency are paramount. As my colleague said, if there was high moral ground to be found when he was in opposition, the Deputy found it at every opportunity. Deputy Gilmore now seems to think the appointment of persons to positions in other Departments without scrutiny-----