John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

We now enter uncertain times, with rising oil and food prices, the credit crunch and climate change all posing major challenges to governments all over the world. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Cowen, is ideally placed to tackle these challenges and to turn them into real opportunities for this country. He has the ability to harness the energy and innovation of the Irish people to embrace this transformational agenda. The decisions we take now will have profound consequences, not just for five or ten years but for 25 years and for future generations.

It is with a sense of pride and hope that I ask the House, on behalf of the Government comprising Fianna Fáil, the Green Party, the Progressive Democrats and the Independents, to support the nomination of Deputy Brian Cowen. Dá bhrí sin, cuireann sé áthas orm tacú leis an moladh.

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