Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I strongly support the amendment to the Labour Party motion that has been moved by the Government parties. I reject the suggestion that the Government is not taking action to deal with the difficult economic circumstances in which we find ourselves. Nothing could be further from the truth. Over the past 11 years, Governments led by my party have overseen unprecedented economic growth and development in this country. We have no intention of doing anything to jeopardise the achievements we have secured. I do not doubt that Ireland, like other small trading economies, faces a challenging environment. The economic climate has deteriorated with unforeseen speed in the past six months.

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