Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I thank all colleagues in the House who contributed to a debate that brought the Taoiseach into Private Members' time for the first time since he came to defend Ray Burke. The debate brought the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Tánaiste in to sit beside each other, although the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform refused to yield the Tánaiste's usual seat.

I am bound to say it was an odd debate in many ways. The Taoiseach approached it from a very unusual point of view. He pretended to believe it was the task of the Opposition at the end of term to come to the House and praise the Government. He then proceeded to dismiss the issues raised in the motion and went on to wade through a thicket of self-congratulatory rhymes about money spent. Glancing at the motion I cannot see how he could dismiss a motion about crime rates, lower detection rates, and the waste of money on PPARS, e-voting and other areas. Regarding promises made, it was he, not the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, who promised to abolish waiting lists in hospitals in two years. He seems to believe that the increases in 50 stealth taxes in the lifetime of the Government are not worthy of debate in the House. Inflation is running at 4%. House prices have increased by nine times since 1997 but the Taoiseach believes these issues are not for debate in the House.

The Taoiseach went on to make an extraordinary charge against me five times that I was mad for power. This comes from the man who keeps trying to invite me to share power with him at every chance.

See this speech in context