I support the amendment to the Order of Business. We are in the midst of a deepening economic crisis. It is not just one set of inflation figures. It is an economic crisis, and what is left of the Government's economic policy is in tatters. We may disagree about the benefits of what the Government calls the social contract or programme, but it is certainly in danger, if it is not dead. If that is not a crisis, and if this House does not want to debate it at this time, the relevance of this House is becoming questionable.
I acknowledge that the Minister for Finance has come into this House on many occasions to debate financial matters. However, is it not extraordinary that we should say he has been very good about coming into one of the Houses of the Oireachtas to debate a matter which concerns his own portfolio? He ought to be here, and we should not be grateful for it. We should not even take note of it.
I accept what Senator O'Toole says. Let us welcome the Taoiseach into this House. Let us welcome the Tánaiste or any other Minister to debate this urgent matter. When the Minister for Finance has come in, he has left, quite understandably, after a very short time, leaving a Minister of State. We are used to being treated to Ministers of State in this House, and that is regrettable. Why the sudden urge to have a full day with the Minister for Finance when no Minister, or very few Ministers, stay here for a Second Stage debate or a debate on a motion? Let us have him here, and if we cannot have him, let us debate the crisis with either of the other two people who really matter, the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste. Maybe the Leader of the House could ask the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste to come in.
I do not agree with the main Opposition party's contention that it is acceptable this should be delayed. I understand we are to break up on 29 June. That is tomorrow fortnight. If we do not have a debate on it this week or next week, the Government, with its nimble political manoeuvring, will be able to kick to touch and kick inflation out into the summer. We do not want that. We want a debate before that.