I welcome yesterday's Cabinet announcement about increased flexibility and funding for those people whose homes, businesses, organisations and voluntary groups have been destroyed by flooding. It is appropriate as these people have suffered in terms of not being able to get insurance, etc., because of historical experiences. The Leader is in the process of trying to organise a debate on the whole issue of flooding here and examine protocols. The national conversation on flooding is happening and I think we will have a much improved and more localised forecasting system.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister with responsibility for European affairs to come here for a debate on the countries that hope to become members of the EU. I am convenor of the Ireland-Moldova Parliamentary Friendship Group. We had a meeting with the Moldovan ambassador, and I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for attending, where we discussed their hopes to become members. Recent elections saw a phenomenal mandate for the parties that supported accession to the European Union. Ireland will assume the EU Presidency on 1 July for six months. During that period perhaps there is a mechanism and an opportunity for Ireland to assist countries that hope to become full members of the European Union. Again, I call for a debate to be arranged with the Minister on the specific issue of accession countries and we could have statements on the EU Presidency to discuss our agenda, priorities and the constructive role that this House can play.