Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

First, the strategy implemented the programme for Government on which Fine Gael had fought that year's election and we were honourable enough to support the strategy. Second, a minority Government was in power following the 1987 election and it could not implement a policy without the co-operation of the Opposition. The Government parties have a majority of ten nowadays, which was reduced to seven last night. They do not need a Tallaght strategy but a vigilant Opposition that will oppose the brutal cutbacks announced in last week's budget is needed.

I recall being present in the House when the interest of the island, North and South, was in question and the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed by Garret FitzGerald on behalf of the Fine Gael-Labour Government. When the national interest was in question, Fianna Fáil sent some of the most senior members of the party to the US where they were given short shrift and they were sent home with their tails between their legs by honourable American politicians.

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