Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The Taoiseach seemed to announce today that what he quaintly referred to as a finance (No. 2) Bill will be introduced later this month. That seems to be what he said but I am not entirely sure. Many families who are watching television or having dinner together tonight are extremely worried about what the future holds for themselves and, in particular, for their younger members. It is tremendously difficult for families, individuals and business people caught up in these catastrophic financial difficulties caused by the Government to deal with the situation that is unfolding. The Government has been extraordinarily maladroit and cack-handed in dealing with the crisis. Within a couple of weeks, some 20 Ministers and Ministers of State will depart for countries around the world for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The Government must have a message that this country is open for business and hopes to do business. Looking at the Taoiseach's face today, I saw someone close to being on the ropes and I felt sorry for him. Having come from being hailed as someone wonderful at an Ard-Fheis he returned to a cold——

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