Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

Without agreeing with everything Deputy Noonan had to say, I compliment him on the thoughtful and constructive tone of his speech. I share his appreciation of the public service. His point about nursing homes will be examined and a reply provided tomorrow before the close of the debate.

The Minister for Finance has set out the difficult economic and financial backdrop to the Finance Bill. For some months earlier this year an attempt was made to argue that Ireland was the only country in recession. It is now clear the problem is a global one, with events in one country having effects in others. There are of course specific characteristics to this recession, but to think that even the most perfectly intelligent and virtuous economic management would have sheltered us from the difficulties that are affecting every country in the world is an illusion.

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