Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I wish George Lee well.

I listened to many of the speeches on the Bill and noticed that the Acting Chairman at the time allowed Members to talk about parochial issues so I might include some too.

While we may disagree with some aspects of the budget, it is important we look at it and the Finance Bill from the point of view of an attempt to create a situation where investment and confidence are recreated. I have just been watching the RTE and TV3 news programmes to see the latest bad news, which mainly concerned the response of Europe to the Greek situation and its consequences. This brings home to us the difficult economic situation in the world currently.

Deputy Niall Blaney will remember, because he is Co-Chairman of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, that at a recent meeting of the assembly I made the point to colleagues from Northern Ireland, Britain and the islands - I was interested in hearing their reaction - that in each of our jurisdictions and parliaments the problem is all considered the fault of the government and saying otherwise has no impact. When such a suggestion is put to a body like the assembly, the people from the British Parliament and from the Northern Ireland Assembly understand what I mean. The current crisis has affected the economies of countries throughout the world; even support for Barack Obama has plummeted and he lost a seat that had been in Democratic hands for almost 50 years. That is the situation and who knows what will happen in future elections. The situation has been difficult.

I represent the constituency of Dublin South-West and live in Tallaght, which I know is no different in this regard from any other place. I am keen to represent not only Tallaght here, but also the Dublin region. I often hear my country colleagues say that everything happens in the Dublin region, but it has suffered and so has Tallaght as a result of the crisis. I live in a constituency where over 10,000 people now sign on in the local social welfare office. None of us has been immune from the situation. I have great concern for those who have been affected. I do not wish to repeat myself, but I have pointed out on more than one occasion that I try to bring my own experiences to my politics. I have been made redundant three times in my life, and it may happen me again. I know what it is like to struggle, to wonder and to worry about the situation. I have listened to many colleagues talk about the challenges families face and I was the Acting Chairman when Deputy Olwyn Enright made a fine contribution about families under pressure.

The Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs, which is chaired by Deputy Healy-Rae and of which I am vice chairman, has examined many such issues in recent times. Deputies Thomas Byrne and Olwyn Enright have prepared a report, which will be launched next week, which deals with the high level of indebtedness in Irish society. On a number of recent occasions the committee took the initiative to bring in people to talk about these issues. For example, it brought in senior staff from the Educational Building Society to discuss how we could deal with these issues. People are suffering in a way they never did before. I conduct nine clinics a week where I attend and listen to my constituents. People come to my clinics who were in jobs up to a year or six months ago. They had comfortable lives, but now they have suddenly found themselves facing great challenges. We are all entitled to our personal politics, but we all have a responsibility to deal with those issues and to advise the Government to continue to build confidence, create jobs and invest.

I would like to mention three particular issues. Last night, Deputy Arthur Morgan mentioned special needs assistants. I acknowledge this is a big issue in Tallaght currently and it has been on the news all week and mentioned on the "Today with Pat Kenny" show and other shows. St. Joseph's special school in Balrothery faces huge problems because one third of its staff, or more, is threatened by cuts because of a decision which is being appealed. I have spoken to the Minister for Education and Science and told him that, in my view, the proposed cuts in that school are drastic and should be re-examined. I use this opportunity to support that school.

Second, I would also like to use this opportunity to support the West Tallaght Resource Centre. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, myself and other colleagues attended a public meeting in the centre last week to discuss the difficulties with regard to the possible closure of the centre. I wish to support the centre and its work.

Third, the loss of jobs due to the closure of Halifax Bank was mentioned in the Dáil this morning. Any visitor to the Square in Tallaght will see the Halifax Bank shop, the official opening of which I attended. The workers there, to whom I spoke today, are just as devastated as all other Halifax workers here. It is a shock to Tallaght that these jobs are gone, but I know this shock is repeated throughout the country. It is important we take the opportunity here to show solidarity with those workers.

Members are entitled to make political points in this debate and I am sure colleagues right across the floor will continue to do that. I will listen to that debate. However, it is very important that we try to build confidence and move forward. I look forward to hearing what the Minister will have to say. Without being patronising, I would like to wish the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, continued success with his endeavours.

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