Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I wish to share my time with Deputy Gallagher.

I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to this important debate. A Cheann Comhairle, as someone who has been a genuine admirer of your work for a long time, it is absolutely gratifying to sit here in the Chamber and listen to such eminent Fine Gael Deputies praise your work. We have come a long way. I was in the Chair myself last night, and I heard colleagues talk about Cinderella and Dracula. It has been that sort of debate.

In yesterday's debate, the Minister stated:

The Bill before us today has been framed in the context of the most difficult economic and fiscal climate in a generation. The upheaval and uncertainty in the international financial system has had a detrimental impact on the global economy and its prospects. Each day brings further bad news for economies across the globe. The majority of our trading partners are experiencing a weakening in their economic fortunes, and this clearly will have a negative impact on a small, open, trading economy such as ours.

In fairness to the Minister, that puts this particular discussion into context. Some colleagues across the floor should be force fed on a diet of international newspapers and made to watch Sky News and CNN for a while. This problem is happening all over the world, even in America. The glum expression of President-elect Obama tells its own story.

I will not stand here on the Fianna Fáil backbenches and say that there are no difficulties for me or for my constituency in Dublin South-West. I live in Tallaght, which is the third largest population centre in the country. People have been talking all week to me about the issues that are of concern to them. By the way, I was at a dinner for Shamrock Rovers last Saturday, and the Ceann Comhairle will be glad to know that he is a hero in Tallaght for what he did for the club. He stood up for us when many did not. That is to his enormous credit. The club and its supporters look forward to welcoming him in Tallaght next year.

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