Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

We re-started the prison building programme. When Fine Gael was in power, it closed it down and did not build one prison cell. We came into Government in 1997 and since then we have put in place 1,300 prison spaces. This summer we will open another 400. Again, we stand by our record.

We also have, I remind the House, despite our current difficulties, the lowest national debt in the EU. When Fine Gael was last in Government, it was 133%. Today it is 20%.

See this speech in context