Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Then looking into the camera, as only the Minister, Deputy Brennan, can do, with all that sincerity, he described himself as "alarmed" at what was happening on this side of the House.

Deputy Mulcahy is also absent. He said: "I urge the Taoiseach to stand firm; no tax cuts and no more spending to put the economy at risk". I saw Deputy Mulcahy on the screen before my eyes on Saturday night, applauding like Mr. Bean on speed. I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the impact on the Minister, Deputy Brennan, of the Niagara of promises the Taoiseach unleashed on his unsuspecting Cabinet on Saturday night. There were 53 different commitments, amounting to €300 million per minute. We are fortunate the Taoiseach only had half an hour. What would be the position if he had a full hour?

The Minister for Finance, in more sober terms, also espoused the prudence agenda. He stated that our economic success has not been built on trade alone, that responsible economics, prioritising budgetary balance and debt reduction provide the foundation for our current prosperity. He said that is why Fianna Fáil's proposals for the next five years will be fully costed, fully detailed and fully affordable. Will the Taoiseach say what is the full cost? The Opposition and the people will judge whether they are affordable. What happened the prudence and why did the Taoiseach reverse engines mid-week and take his unsuspecting Ministers by surprise? Why did he promise 2,000 additional gardaí when the hapless Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is in here every day of the week saying there are enough gardaí, that he is happy with the situation and things are under control? What happened prudence the day the music died, on 24 March 2007?

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