Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I concur with what Deputy Bruton said. People are reeling under the shock of what the Government has done in the supplementary budget, ordinary families who feel the ordering of Government as we have known it in Ireland has collapsed. We would understand if we heard that the people in Government were to do an away-day on Tuesday, sit down, maybe get a black board and explain the mortgage interest relief and other provisions in the supplementary budget which they have rowed back on since making very loud and confident statements. If they went away and studied that we would all be rather comforted for the sake of the country. If they take Tuesday off, could they at least arrange to come in here for 10.30 a.m. next Wednesday? They could have a study day and we could come in on Wednesday and do a full day's work.

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