Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am concerned, however, that arising from the vote of no confidence by the people last Friday that the Taoiseach now faces a serious problem in attempting to lead our country to a point where its people will vindicate that in which we believe in terms of the Lisbon referendum and pass it. I am glad Mr. Ganley took up my challenge of standing in Ireland north west. I am glad that he had the truthfulness to say he is now finished with politics and that, like the organisation he started under many different guises, he will not be playing a part in that referendum campaign. I am concerned, however, that we have not gone about this process in the way we should. It is almost six months since we met. I would like to have had a constant stream of information on the Government proposals to deal with Lisbon and the sequential dealing with many of the issues that are important for our country and its future. In terms of credibility and authority, moral and governmental, the Taoiseach faces a serious problem arising from the decision of the people last Friday.

I have spoken in this House on a number of motions of confidence and no confidence over the years. Every Deputy, including Deputy Gogarty, should consider the verdict of the people last Friday. When he walks up those steps tomorrow, he is deciding, as is every other Deputy, whether he has confidence in this Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government to lead our country out of the problems we now face?

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