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

Deputy Coveney is entitled to his opinion. It would not be appropriate for a little known Fianna Fáil Deputy from Tallaght to say that.

People are upset and they are angry. People in my constituency, as in every other constituency, are concerned. I am not looking for sympathy in regard to the pressure I am under as a result of the number of angry and upset people coming to my clinic. I have had a normal life and have always tried to do normal things. I lost my job three times. I have often said — I am not afraid to say it — that it was a difficult time for me and as such I understand the concerns of those who come to my clinic. I do not mean to be virtuous or patronising but people are expressing to me their concerns in regard to losing their jobs, the threat of losing their jobs and the pressures they are under in terms of meeting bills and so on. I am sure, like everybody else in the House, I owe the banks more than they owe me. A statement I received this morning in respect of a car loan showed I am overdrawn, something about which I felt quite comfortable. I would rather owe money to the bank than have money in it.

There was a great deal of negative reaction to the RTE interview with the chief executive of Bank of Ireland who, when pressed by the interviewer about his salary, did not appear happy he would earn only €2 million this year. I can only imagine the fall-out from that for politicians. We are entitled to our political perspective and I have no problem with that, but this is an issue about which people are concerned. To keep my feet on the ground, this morning I studied the unemployment figures for Tallaght — the third largest population centre in the country — where currently, more than 7,200 people are unemployed. As I said earlier, I have experienced unemployment. Many people are raising with me issues such as loans and the need to obtain funding from banks, a point raised by many speakers today. I received a call this morning from a businessman who is being hassled by his bank in regard to a loan on a van. If this man's van is repossessed he will have to close his business which employs approximately five people.

It is fair for Members from all sides to point out to Government that people are expecting it to instruct the banks, who are answerable to their shareholders, to accept we are in difficult and different times than ever before. I am old enough to remember other times. I recall as a small child my grandmother speaking to me about the 1950s and 1960s and her unhappiness at the time with the banks. Nothing has changed. I am sure if she were here now she would be smiling, given the current situation with the banks.

During the 1970s, which were difficult, I emigrated to England. The 1980s were difficult too but the current situation is different and more worrying. We did not have people like George Lee in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. I hope he does not mind me saying that. People have more information now and they know more, which is fair enough. I am not suggesting that is a difficulty. People know far more now about the recession and the state of the country than in the past. They are aware that it is not only Ireland that is in recession. They hear on Sky News about what is happening in Britain and Germany and on CNN what is happening in America. People are worried about what is happening in the world and to the global economy.

I listened for a while this morning to "Morning Ireland" and then turned off the radio to listen to a CD by Hot Chocolate which I got free in a newspaper given to me by my sister. I needed to clear my head. I accept I have a responsibility as a Deputy to work through these issues, to represent people and to support what is being done. I am aware that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is under a great deal of pressure. I was glad to hear him on the airwaves this morning. Deputy Creighton also gave a good performance on radio this morning. I have no problem with political debate. At the same time, the Minister has a job to do. As Harry Truman said, the buck stops with him and he must deal with the issues. I am glad he put on record this morning that the Government's recapitalisation package for Allied Irish Banks and the Bank of Ireland is a central element in the Government's broader strategy to address the financial crisis, ensuring, as the Minister said, that the two major financial institutions remain sound and stable and in a position to fulfil their vital role in the economy. The Minister also stated that the Government progressed the other main elements of its approach to securing the financial system, including, as he described it, the package to address the concerns of ordinary customers of the banks.

I take the view in regard to the economy that one must carry on. The former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern — I hope he does not mind me putting this on record — told me some weeks ago when I met him going to a football match that the best way for me to deal with critical business is to keep my head down and to continue to represent and help people in my constituency. It is important we remain confident. It would be easy for anyone listening to this debate to become despondent. Deputy Beverly Flynn made an interesting comment last week when she said that, while people in this House have different perspectives — I have no trouble with that — we must try to remain positive as people are watching what is happening here. They do not want what is happening in the Dáil to add to their anger and concern. That is a challenge for all of us. I am sure my colleagues opposite will have a different view in that regard. However, it is important that when in a recession we continue to go about our business.

When coming up the stairs to the Chamber I had in my hand my credit union book which reminded me that this is about people trying to access funding and their savings. People, whether in Cork, Dublin city, Kildare or Tallaght in south-west Dublin, want Government to address this issue. There always will be issues across the floor about which we will disagree. However, it is important we remain positive. I am not afraid to say to the Minister — Deputy Roche will know this — that people are not happy, that they are angry, concerned and frustrated.

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