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

I wish Deputy Bruton well in his new portfolio. I was also pleased to hear the news about Deputy Perry. He is another man whose work I admire. I wish him well with his new responsibilities.

As Bill Clinton often said, "It's the economy, stupid." This debate focuses on that. Even though we were told a week ago that the recession is over, which I hope is the case, it is clear as we go around communities that people need to see evidence of that. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is aware that there was bad news for my constituency tonight with the announcement that the Citywest complex has gone into receivership. It is not in my constituency of Dublin South-West, it is adjacent to it in Saggart, but nevertheless, the announcement in that regard will shock the constituency. I note a receiver has been appointed. I hope he will focus on preserving and protecting the jobs at the complex. Even though the complex is not physically in my constituency it is an issue about which I feel strongly. We are all aware that it is one of the biggest hotels in Europe. Hundreds of people are employed in the complex, many of whom are from my base in Tallaght. I am very concerned about them. From speaking to a number of them this evening I know they are shocked.

It is important that the receiver understands the challenge the situation presents for him. I hope he keeps to his word. I understand he has made a statement to the effect that the hotel complex will be open for business as a growing concern, which is very important. I took the opportunity to discuss the matter with the Taoiseach, as busy as he was. I am pleased to say he was not so distracted that he did not listen to my concerns. I had a conversation with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who is on important business with other colleagues in Limerick tonight. I mentioned my deep concern about the situation. I was pleased to hear assurances from him that he will liaise with the receiver and hotel management and do what he can to preserve those jobs. It is important to make that point during the debate.

There has been much media coverage in the past 48 hours and especially today about events going on in the Fianna Fáil Party rooms as we speak. My two colleagues across the Chamber will understand that these things do happen in party rooms. Someone asked me today whether I had learned anything from the recent events in the Fine Gael Party rooms. I said I did not know what went on so I did not learn anything. However, it did give me an opportunity to say to media contacts who contacted me today that my focus is not on personalities, it is on the issues that are of concern.

As I go about my business in my constituency and in the Dublin region, people talk to me of the issues of deep concern to them. They talk about the economy, jobs, the need to protect funding for community projects, education and the need to protect the vulnerable, as Fianna Fáil has always done. Political points can be made on this but it is important that we continue to speak up.

I am sometimes taunted, albeit not seriously, by those on the Opposition benches about the role of Government backbenchers. However, I believe very strongly my role is to stay on the ground in my constituency, come to the House, talk to Ministers and get my point across regarding what should be done. I have very clear views on what should be done. It is a question of jobs. Any discussion on the economy in this recession must focus on jobs. I have told all Members, and always without fear, that I am able to bring to my politics my life experiences. These include having been made redundant three times and having to struggle with this. It is "about the economy, stupid" and about getting the message across. I will certainly continue to do that.

There have been various reactions to the Government's press conference today on the report on mortgage arrears. It was attended by the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Ó Cuív. I am sure colleagues from the Labour and Fine Gael benches will take the opportunity during this debate, as they did during Question Time, to voice their views on mortgage arrears. The recommendations in the report comprise good work and are certainly a start.

My colleague Deputy Thomas Byrne, who is to speak on this debate, was a cosignatory, along with me and Deputies Tom Kitt, Chris Andrews and Cyprian Brady, to a motion tabled for our parliamentary party asking the Government to do something about this issue. We framed it some weeks ago. As I mentioned in the House recently, I took the opportunity to bring the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Ó Cuív, to Fettercairn in Tallaght to hear 60 community leaders express their views on Government policy on all the issues that have arisen in this debate. I am glad they took the opportunity to do so and that the Minister listened.

The subject of today's report arose at recent meetings of the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs, chaired by Deputy Healy-Rae and which has included Opposition spokespersons Deputies Shortall and Enright. I do not want to patronise again but Deputy Michael Ring will not mind my saying he will do a great job and that Deputy Enright has done a superb job as Opposition spokesperson. The members of the committee have been very responsible and have worked well together. It considered the issue of the new poor, who include those suffering over mortgage repayments and who, a year or six months ago, were comfortable and had jobs. I hope the report today will result in some respite for these people and help them through difficulties.

I fully support the recommendations in the report. The time has long since come for all the banks, which are being supported by the taxpayer, to show compassion for those in difficulties. I was glad to hear that the chairman of the Irish expert group on mortgage arrears and personal debt, Mr. Hugh Cooney, has made it clear he wants improved communications and consistent policies applied by lenders to borrowers. He is encouraging all lenders to take immediate steps to implement the recommendations that relate to them. I hope they do so without delay.

As with other colleagues, I have been receiving calls throughout the week from people concerned about their jobs. They include those working in Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland, not only in the Tallaght branches but also in those throughout my constituency and the Dublin region. I am quite sure all Members have been contacted in this regard. It is important that we echo what Deputy Batt O'Keeffe stated on the record, namely, that this matter is of great concern. At a time of serious unemployment in the State, I will put up my hand in the Fianna Fáil benches and say my constituency has suffered as much as any. There are more than 10,500 people unemployed in the Tallaght region, signing off at its social welfare office. This concerns me greatly. I know what redundancy is like and what it is like for the families affected. I understand what it is like to have to go home to tell one's family that circumstances will be even more difficult than they are.

It is important to express these views to the Government. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy John Moloney, will convey to the Ministers that these issues are of concern to us all. The concern and upset is not confined to those on the Fine Gael or Labour benches, although they take the opportunity regularly to articulate it very strongly. It is important that one understands that those of us working on the ground listening to people want to express the view I am expressing. I am not afraid to express it.

How much time have I remaining?

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