Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It provides the new Taoiseach with the opportunity to show real leadership. If he were to do it later this evening, it would stand to him in the times ahead.

The economic challenge cannot be under estimated. Taxes will be at least €10 billion short of target by 2012, making the programme for Government redundant. It will be just "a tattered rag upon a stick". The Taoiseach must give the programme its P45 and come back to the House with a realistic and achievable programme.

I hope Deputy Brian Cowen spent the past few weeks hammering out a new programme for Government, to take account of the tragically changed circumstances in which the nation finds itself. If he does that in the areas where it is in the national interest, we will offer support. If he does not and his Ministers fall, we will pursue them in the House relentlessly and expose their political inadequacies.

I look forward to the changed environment of politics. I assume there will be more direct answers and a return to conventional politics, with the legal implications of the other issue out of the way in so far as the primacy of the House is concerned. I look forward to constructive political debate so that we can enthuse and inspire our young people and show them that there is a value to politics, that we mean what we say and that what we do is in the interests of the country's future.

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