Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

Is it any wonder that people are cynical about politics? I agree with Senators MacSharry and Callely that Members from both sides of the House have been calling consistently for debates that relate to people's lives, such as house repossessions, job losses, NAMA and the economic future of this country. The Fine Gael leader's decision this weekend has cast a strong spotlight on the workings of this House. I get frustrated when I look at the Order of Business, such as this week, for example, and find that we are discussing postal codes and the seabed when we should be talking about the suffering that people experience in their lives. Perhaps that is why the Fine Gael leader is stepping out from the spotlight and making leadership decisions. The old saying "Nero fiddles while Rome burns" reminds me of the Government's inaction. We are living in unprecedented times which call for strong leadership and radical decisions. The Fine Gael leader, Deputy Enda Kenny, is making radical decisions now which will affect Members of this House. They might not like it but that is the reality of the times we are in.

I am asking the Leader for a real debate on our economic future, the future of politics in this country and how we can respond to the needs of those whom we are supposed to represent. Day by day, the public is losing faith in the establishment and the political process. The Fine Gael leader is leading from the front and the top.