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

Deputy Kathleen Lynch was sensitive about taking up the time allocated to Deputy Higgins, but I would have been happy to share my time with her on this important debate. We are all going in the same direction even if our perspectives may differ. We should not be afraid of this debate.

Today as always, my business began in my constituency. I later walked the old streets from which I come. It may come as a surprise to Members who believe I am from Tallaght to learn that I come from the streets surrounding these Houses. This morning, I started in Tallaght and went to Firhouse before coming into town to walk these streets to a fair trade reception with my colleagues, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Power, and Deputy Chris Andrews. I took the opportunity to listen to what people had to say. I will not stand on the Government benches and say people are happy; they are not. A person in Firhouse said to me this morning that if we were back in 1789 the guillotine would be used. I am sure some banker will be upset to hear me say that.

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