Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform's contribution on this Bill was the most disgraceful, self-serving speech I have heard in this House. The only issue for the Minister appears to be to defend his own reputation or what is left of it. It follows his comments last night about his competence, honesty and courage. Is the Minister living in the real world? Does he realise that he is the only one talking of his competence, honesty and courage? The approach to this Bill is in line with the approach of the Minister and this Government from the time the crisis transpired. It was a matter of sharing the blame and pointing the finger. They brought in the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Attorney General and referred to the then Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2002. They referred to previous Ministers in previous Governments, as the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has done in his speech today. The only people they have not touched on yet are the ushers in the Dáil, and I presume they will be next to be asked to share the blame for the incompetence of this Government and this Minister.

I will touch on one aspect which really concerns me. What I have mentioned so far is what I would expect anyway. I refer to the Cowen logic which was rolled out by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, yesterday when the Government decided to focus its ire on the Supreme Court. That is dangerous talk. The Supreme Court and the other courts of this country have a job to do under the Constitution. When the finger is pointed at those courts to share the blame for the Government's incompetence, one is in very dangerous territory. I warn the Government off it.

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