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

Deputy Beverley Flynn made a very interesting point and I hope people will pick up what she said. In her excellent contribution, she made the point that a gloom and doom response is fair enough, but people looking at us hope that our leaders and every politician will, at least, show some confidence and a way forward.

I do not agree with everything that has been said and done. I believe strongly that it is important we inspire confidence in the public. The public has responded in a very bleak manner today. I took calls today from all over my constituency. I was talking to people in South Dublin County Council, where I have a long record and am well regarded. They were not a bit happy. That is the kind of political day we have had. It is important to drive through the issues and continue to represent in a confident manner the way forward.

My town of Tallaght has been affected just as much as other areas. I am on the Government benches and hold up my hands in that regard. There were some 6,516 people on the live register in Tallaght in December and I am sure, with all the bad news we got today, the situation is still as bad. It is important to put this into context, particularly with regard to the issue of energy prices.

Last week, I heard Deputy Finian McGrath make the point that public servants and the public service were getting much criticism and were easy targets. To some extent, they fought back today and have been facilitated by the media in that regard. They have a point of view to express. My jury is a little out on this.

See this speech in context