Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

This is the crazy economics of Fianna Fáil.

I want to return to the comparison I set out at the beginning of my contribution in regard to the First World War. I am sure the Minister of State is aware of the Siegfried Sassoon poem of a cheery general meeting two soldiers on their way to battle who states: "But he did for them both by his plan of attack." General Lenihan has well and truly done for us all by his plan of attack today. Anyone can slash and burn. One does not need courage or wisdom to do so. One can of course save money by making men and women redundant.

I was desperately disappointed that SR Technics, in terms of a plan to save high level jobs at that plant, did not merit mention by the Minister.

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