Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach will celebrate his second anniversary as Taoiseach in two days' time. He has presided, with his Government, over such an unprecedented destruction of so many things in Ireland that it is quite incredible. I refer to national debt, unemployment and Exchequer figures and the position regarding health. It is important at a time like this that political leadership be demonstrated by the leader of the country.

The Taoiseach came into his office with a very high reputation of having the potential to change, lead and direct but, unfortunately, that has not happened. In the area of judges' pay, he failed to introduce legislation to make it equal for all those involved. In respect of higher civil servants, he exempted them from the recommended pay cuts. In respect of insiders taking privileged positions in banks, he failed to get his way there. The Taoiseach is now the only party leader, as I understand it, who has failed to get consent from members of his party to give up their ministerial pensions. He has failed in that act of leadership and to demonstrate such leadership at this time of national crisis.

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