Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It was the Tánaiste who put the poster on the pole with the message "Single Party Government — No Thanks". In the wake of the Taoiseach's difficulties, the Tánaiste told the Irish people he would see to it that new ethics legislation would be introduced quickly in this House. He said that to save his own bacon because of his carry on and the fact that he desperately wanted to hold on to power. The good lady beside him would not have acted that way and neither would her predecessor. The Tánaiste did so because he has a craving to be in power and in the limelight. He does not understand that he above anyone else should see that commitments he has made to the public are honoured.

Where is the new ethics legislation that he promised publicly to the people? There are reports on this in today's newspapers. I notice the Tánaiste has to be advised by his Whip as to the status of his legislation. It is like the answer the Taoiseach gave yesterday to Deputy Rabbitte's query about promised legislation, that it is somewhere along the corridor.

See this speech in context