James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to debate the following urgent matter: the threat posed to the country by the Government's lack of ability to engage with the concerns of the people in a time of great hardship and strain, with jobs being lost and houses repossessed with the result that people are depressed and fearful; its answer to such difficulties being to question why such people do not commit suicide. That is a statement attributed to the Taoiseach in last Saturday's Irish Independent. He has a duty to apologise for that remark as his predecessor did. I call on him today to apologise to the people.

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