Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak in this debate. I speak as one who canvassed, day and night, for days and weeks in a county that recorded an increase in our vote. It is true that 1% is small but in the light of what happened around the country a percentage increase county-wide was amazing and we were very pleased.

What I encountered on the doorsteps was what I would call "tabloid politics". I say this with due respect to the empty seats in the Press Gallery or to whomsoever is behind them. It is not quite empty. There is an eminent writer present who is not from the tabloid press. However, I would term this "tabloid politics" because if the person at the door said to the candidate or the canvasser for Fine Gael or the Labour Party, "Oh, look what has happened with the levies," they replied that it was dreadful and appalling and they were horrified. They said,"Trust us and we will not do any of those things". Where then will they get the money to run the country? It is an amazing story.

Deputy George Lee may be sitting in a little hut above somewhere but wherever he is and whatever floor his office is on, I imagine it will not be as nice as his office in RTE. Wherever he is and whatever he is doing, there is a great chance for Deputy Lee, whom I welcome to the House, to return to RTE and ask that organisation why nobody is investigating what the Labour Party and Fine Gael are saying.

Last Monday's "Questions and Answers" should have been compulsory viewing for every Member of this House and every member of the public. Deputy Richard Bruton was present, trying to fend off Mary Lou McDonald who was trying to make overtures to him to become part of her leftish cover. However, she did not really want him either. Sensibly, he stayed very quiet and took little part in that debate.

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