Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)

People would welcome an election at this time to give them the opportunity to remove this wasteful Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrats Government which has failed dismally to provide for the needs of people on a range of critical issues. On the housing issue, for instance, in my constituency a two-bedroom terraced house in what were corporation built estates like Cabra costs close to an incredible €500,000. It is way beyond the ability of a majority of local young people to obtain a home and remain living in their own community. The Government must accept its share of responsibility for this. For the Taoiseach after nine years of inaction to speak of his support for the Kenny report is a bit like his cynical statement to the anti-war marchers that he is against the war in Iraq, having handed over Shannon Airport to the United States war machine.

The two-tier health service and the appalling scandal of the accident and emergency units is one of the hallmarks of this Government for which they will pay a heavy price at the next election. The failure to tackle the drugs-crime crisis again demonstrates the inability of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government to effectively tackle the critical issues of concern to people.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, attempted to ridicule the Independent Deputies — anything to divert attention from his own failure — with all the arrogance of the Progressive Democrats, the 3% party. That is the level of support for them. If Podge and Rodge formed a party, they would get more support than the Progressive Democrats. My message to the Minister, Deputy McDowell, is that when he is kicked out by the electorate we may well have Independent Deputies in government. There were Independents in government in the past and there will be again, and we will do better than this lot.

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