Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I am afraid not. I am not making a ministerial opening statement. I will happily give the Deputy a copy afterwards.

Government by opinion poll is quite impossible, especially in difficult times. I am incredulous that anyone aspiring to be in government should treat an opinion poll as a catalyst for anything, especially one that stretched core votes of 16%, 21% and 22% respectively to 17%, 28% and 32%, or whatever you are having yourself, with the promise that next time there will be a new improved methodology. The issue, not least stated in these two reports, is whether, in the words of Edmund Burke, we offer the public our best judgment and lead or whether we follow whatever the last poll, constituent or campaigning organisation said to us. The Taoiseach and the Government since 2008 have provided a new style of leadership in the handling of the economic crisis, which has been widely praised by influential opinion formers on whom, indirectly, our future credit standing and our ability to meet our social welfare, pay and interest bills depends.

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