Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Government recapitalised two banks and nationalised another. It imposed a stiff pension levy on our public servants. Yesterday's supplementary budget was another step towards achieving what is contained in that plan. For us to continue to function as a country, we must ensure that we return to where we were when we were competing way above our weight internationally.

As the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, pointed out we must export between 85% and 90% of what we produce in this country. For us to compete as we used to, we must concentrate on the areas over which we have control. They are public spending, taxation and investment. Yesterday's supplementary budget was necessary to show our people and people outside this country, from whom we must borrow money to sustain ourselves, that we can manage our way out of the current downturn and that we will be in a position to take advantage of the inevitable upturn which all commentators say is on the way.

We can all play politics and, if we want, make cheap political points. I have listened to a great number of history lessons during the past two days in regard to where we where, what we did, what we should have done, who did what and when, and so on.

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