Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support my colleagues who asked the Leader to provide sufficient time in the very near future for another debate on economic matters, including banking, the mortgage crisis and, more important, the overall economic position. While it is a cliché to say the clock is ticking, it is also correct. We are almost reaching the end game. One need only observe what is happening on the international financial bond markets. It is a vote of no confidence not just in the Government but, I fear, in our political system also. There is a view that we are not able to deal with the current economic crisis. Those of us in this House should be in a position to provide a degree of leadership by, at least, having a further broad spectrum economic debate.

While I agree with Senator Bacik that we do not and cannot have consensus, we are examining the concept of consensus in a negative fashion. We are seeing it as a cave-in. For the Government, it must mean that it is willing to reflect on what the Opposition is stating and consider the proposals made in documents such as the fine and far-seeing one produced by Fine Gael at the weekend entitled, Reinventing Government. On our side consensus means that we should, at least, be willing to listen to what the Government has to state, but I genuinely believe the public, while not debating the concept of consensus, is calling on all of us to play our role in national recovery. We cannot be sure what that role will be, but we need to consider the options. Politics is not a one-way street. For far too long we have had an old-fashioned view of the role of Government and the Opposition. I was taken by what Senator Quinn said and agree with him. Surely every elected Member of this House has something to say. If all we can say is no, we are in the wrong country and Parliament and from a different era. The Government should give us the opportunity to bring forward ideas with an assurance that it is willing to listen. If even one quarter of what Fine Gael proposed last Sunday was taken on board by the Government in the near future, it would help to transform the country. We need that transformation. We are giving the Government some ideas and I ask it to please listen to us.