Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

Our Labour Party colleagues would tax us to the hilt and drive our economy into the ground. They have no concept of what we need if we are to get the economy moving and stabilise it. When the global economy turns around again, we will need to be ready to take advantage of the opportunities afforded to us. My colleagues on the other side of the House will have a chance to speak in the next few minutes. Perhaps they will look into their hearts and say what they would do differently. I hope they will give credit to the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, and her Government colleagues for putting together a fantastic €19.6 billion social welfare package.

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