Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Many of them have cited Ireland as an exemplar of how to approach this global financial crisis. I do not particularly like the phrase "difficult decision", although I am probably as guilty as anybody else of using it, because it makes it seem that the decision-maker is doing the suffering. We are under no illusion that the harsh but necessary decisions we are taking are affecting the Irish people, who are leading Ireland to recovery, one by one. The Government took the most important steps towards recovery last year, amid the most difficult political environment. The Lisbon treaty was passed, public sector finances were addressed and NAMA was established. More needs to be done quickly. Credit to business most flow more freely. Those guilty of corruption in the banking system must continue to be brought to justice. More must be done to make political structures protect and serve citizens more effectively and efficiently. The Opposition's approach is in sharp contrast to those aims. Fine Gael has at least produced some policies, even if they are uncosted and unworkable.

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