And in the opinion polls too.

I imagine-----

That is the Senator's opinion.

Probably more pertinently in the opinion polls also.

The Senator should leave politics out of it.

One of the important aspects of the original confidence and supply arrangement was the requirement that all arrangements between the Government and Independent Deputies on whom it depended for its support would be published, but we have seen no such material arising from that or evidence in writing to suggest the dirty deals that may have been done to buy the support of Independent Deputies.

They might come and join us-----

That is something that should be of great concern to everybody who is interested in democracy and ethics. This is a matter not just for Fine Gael but for Fianna Fáil also. I ask that it focus clearly on those arrangements and demand that Fianna Fáil ensure it take centre stage in the context of the renewed relationship I anticipate will happen.

Is the Senator part of the talks?

As part of this much derided new politics, Bills have been passed on Second Stage in the Dáil and the Seanad that, at least under the terms of the confidence and supply arrangement, were supposed to move to Committee Stage within ten weeks of their passage on Second Stage in both Houses. Unfortunately, approximately 200 of them have been sent to the place where Bills go to die, so to speak. I ask Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to focus clearly on that requirement to move Bills through the legislative process as expeditiously as possible to make sure all legislators get the opportunity to get new laws that are required enacted and put on the Statute Book without delay-----

What about the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill?

-----and not pretend that the Government agrees with all of them. If they do not agree with them, they can vote against them. That is the best thing to do.