Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

There are times, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, when I am looking around frantically for somebody to draw into discussion, because I cannot draw that side of the House into it, as we know.

If they could not foresee what was going to happen they should not be there. It is as simple and stark as that. The dogs on the street were talking about it, but anybody who dared to say what had to be said was denigrated, cast aside and regarded as unpatriotic. They were ignored.

It is sad that we have had this financial episode. I have no doubt the country will recover, but it will require good leadership and foresight. We have recovered from similar situations in the past. However, a recognition is first required from those responsible that they did wrong. They must apologise to the Irish people in the first instance.

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