Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I made all of my arguments yesterday. It is essential that, if we are to have the opportunity to participate from an informed basis, the information to which the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and others have access be shared. I am referring to relevant information. If people outside the House who are engaged with the Government in respect of the social partnership talks have access to the detail that clearly swirls around that engagement, why can Deputies not be informed so that they can properly prepare and participate in what should be a real debate?

The debate must address more than a mere bookkeeping exercise or attempts to find €2 billion in cuts. It must address job creation initiatives, about which we see and hear even less from the Government, and its commitment to seize the moment to redress infrastructural deficits and to create employment. These are the necessary steps. Contrary to some media commentators' suggestions that these are medium to long-term solutions, it is not the case. They can have a direct and immediate impact, not only in terms of improved job opportunities and the return to the Exchequer consequently created, but also in addressing the deep inner depression being felt by people across the State. This is the real situation. People are looking for hope and leadership, but it is not being given. All that they see are utterances and media reportage of further doom, gloom, cuts and deep slashes in their income expectations. This situation cannot continue. The Government is driving the country into a deep depression——

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