Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

During my time in the House, I have rarely seen such an extent of anger on the streets in respect of the mismanagement and lack of leadership by the Government. The country is edging towards an economic precipice and there is no strategy, coherence or sign of action being taken to clear up the international markets' complete lack of trust and confidence in Ireland. Evidence emerged today of shares being hammered after the investment of €7 billion of taxpayers' money.

The people are disgusted beyond reason at what is happening. They are disgusted with the level of obscene payoffs for people who were central to activities that were neither ethical nor moral. It leads one to believe that if this continues for much longer, Ireland will face an economic crisis the likes of which we never have seen before. However, the Government has made no response of any coherence, direction or strength to deal with it. People are appalled by what has gone on.

Last September, the Taoiseach ignored the advice of his own experts to the effect that Anglo Irish Bank should be taken over. He followed this with a promise of €1.5 billion of taxpayers' money for recapitalisation that he was eventually forced to abandon in favour of nationalisation. In the past week, there has been evidence of allegations, rumours, stories and fact regarding what has gone on in respect of Anglo Irish Bank, with more to come. This is not business as usual, nor can it ever be. The buck stops at the door of the Government and the Taoiseach.

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