Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I will not make any reference to poor Liam Lawlor. This is simply to deal with ethical investment and not ethics in the House. At least there was some bit of entertainment in the Minister's speech today even if it is only to illustrate how ineffective the Green Party is in government.

I hope this works. I always say that to the Minister. We are in very serious times. The country is in an awful state — a frightful state. I have never seen people more frightened. I have been dealing with my constituency since 1974 and have never seen people more scared. I have never seen people so genuinely upset or having such a lack of confidence in the future. The situation needs to be pulled together and quickly. I hope this legislation works. However, when the Minister has included in the Bill an entire series of measures to enable him to take the next step, that in itself takes the confidence away from the step he is taking today.

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