Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to speak immediately after Deputy Burton because as I came into the House I said there is an air of unreality about the debate today in that the proposer of the original motion is not here. I will not dwell on that; it is a matter for Fine Gael. I will, however, dwell on the Alice in Wonderland that has been adopted by the Labour Party. I want to illustrate this, in particular, by reference to the two extraordinary reports which were published last week. Let us recall for a moment that when the reports were first proposed the Labour Party suggested they would be whitewashes.

In his opening comments today Deputy Gilmore, with all his theatrical splendour, did better than I have seen him for a long time. He produced a flourish that would have done justice to Lawrence Olivier in his best moments. Let us think for a moment. Where was the Labour Party on 30 September 2008 when the real test of political leadership in this country was coming to reality? To give credit where credit is due, when the Minister, Deputy Lenihan, at 7 a.m. on that day telephoned Deputy Enda Kenny he was assured that Fine Gael would behave in the national interest. I want to recognise that because Fine Gael has done that before and it is right and proper to do so.

What was the response from the Labour Party? It was extraordinary by any standard. This country faced one of the worst challenges it had ever faced. We can debate as much as we want backwards and forwards and engage in Punch and Judy politics about what happened.

See this speech in context