Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Yes. De réir a chéile a thógtar na caisleáin.

There are also motorways to Limerick, Cork and Waterford. In addition, there are motorways which run almost all the way to Wexford and the Border. All of these roads have more or less been connected to each other and this has led to two major transformations. The first of these relates to the physical advantage of being able to transport goods and people from east to west.

The second transformation to which I refer involves the psychological advantage - this is incredibly important in my opinion - that has arisen in the context of foreign companies that are considering establishing operations here. Setting up a factory or whatever in any of the regions of this country is similar to establishing operations in the outer part of a city in the United States of America. I have often stated that the motorway system we have constructed means that the position is completely different from that which obtained ten years ago. When representatives from companies in the US consider establishing operations in Galway, Cork, Waterford or Limerick, they are of the view that asking people to travel to these places is similar to requesting that individuals in their home country travel from Chicago to Milwaukee, from New York to New Jersey or from San Francisco to San Jose. In other words, if one is travelling on a good-quality road, one's journey time is reduced. The Americans do not see the satellite cities to which I refer as being in any way isolated or difficult to service. This has made a major difference to our economy.

We must work through the difficult circumstances in which we find ourselves. Those in the farming community recognise more than most that there are good times and bad times. The times in which we are living are extremely difficult. The challenge we face is to build on our strengths and deal with the difficulties that have arisen. I am of the view that this country has major strengths. It is a complete misreading of the situation to compare our current position to that which obtained in the 1970s and 1980s. The country and the services that are provided within it have been transformed.

In the 1990s or early 2000s, if one had informed people that we would have anything similar to the social welfare system that is currently in place, they would have stated that it would never come into being. We have taken huge strides forward and what we want to do is retain, to the best of our ability, the ground we have gained. If this means making short-term adjustments in order to preserve our long-term future, then that is the correct route to take. I appreciate the support the Opposition has given to the main propositions we have put forward in respect of the basic targets which must be achieved, particularly in the context of reducing the deficit to 3%.

I do not doubt that as those in opposition study the position, they will realise that €15 billion in savings will be required. Any amount below that would not be viewed as credible internationally. I have a very simple message for those who ask why we are pandering to the markets rather than to the people of Ireland. If we cannot borrow money at a reasonable rate, we will not be in a position to pay for education, health or social welfare.

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh as ucht deis a bheith agam an cúpla focal seo a rá. Creidim gur am dúshlanach é i saol phobal na hÉireann. Credim go mbeidh an pobal tuisceanach ar na fadhbanna ata romhainn. Tá jab mór le déanamh againn iad a mhíniú. Déanfaimid ár ndícheall é sin a dhéanamh chomh maith agus is féidir linn. Tá mé buíoch don tacaíocht atá le fáil ón bhFreasúra don bhunréasúnaíocht atá ag baint le sin. Tá súil agam gur féidir linn tuilleadh comhoibriú a chothú agus muid i mbun gnóthaí na tíre.

See this speech in context