In the past few days we have had various comments from Ministers on both sides of the Government about solidarity in Government and the need for collective responsibility. Yesterday, the Minister for Defence informed the House that he had come from a very businesslike Cabinet meeting and that social inclusion was fundamental to this Government's philosophy. Yesterday evening, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform stated that nobody has a monopoly on compassion or conscience. Will the Tánaiste explain how that philosophy of social inclusion and having both a conscience and compassion fits in with a situation where the Carmichael House centre in North Brunswick Street is to close on 9 July? As she will be aware, this centre provides a central headquarters for 44 voluntary organisations and reaches out to 400,000 people nationally. They need a grant of €150,000 from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs but it is not being given to them.
The Tánaiste will be aware that this centre was opened by the Taoiseach on 17 May and at the opening he said that with such support in place, voluntary groups can concentrate their energies on what they do best — serving people. This centre has served people for many years. It is a central headquarters for organisations like the Irish Polio Association, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and many others and they now have to issue redundancy notice to staff. Will the Tánaiste confirm that she will personally examine this case in view of the Government's stated position of care, compassion and conscience and confirm to the House that this centre will not close on 9 July, rendering many charitable and voluntary organisations redundant from the valuable work they do?