Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I propose to share time with Deputy Lucinda Creighton.

Some 94 years ago, the people who fought for the independence of this country proclaimed the Irish Republic and the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland and the unfettered control of Irish destinies to be sovereign and indefeasible. The Republic also guaranteed religious and civil liberties, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens.

We thought we lived in a democracy which is defined as a political form of government in which the government is derived from the power of the people. Effectively, we did not live in a democracy but rather in an oligarchy. This was a system ruled by a few persons. We were ruled by an elite group whose members were not the wealthy; this was an elite group of trade unionists, social partners, politicians and the wealthy. They made the decisions in this country and this House was left without any powers. Until the powers are returned to the House, we will not live in a democracy. We are answerable to the people who vote for the 166 Members of this House.

These are extraordinarily difficult times for the people of Ireland and the Government has announced that €15 million is required. People are angry with those who created the mess and this anger is tangible. This anger has been inflamed by the fact that the bankers, who contributed to our economic freefall, seem to be walking away scot free while small businesses and ordinary people are being hauled through the courts for relatively small loans.

As public representatives we sometimes spend too much time in the House trying to score points while thousands of Irish people are suffering incredible hardship with, unfortunately, much more to come. The people of Ireland know what the problems are and they want to see credible solutions, backed up by strong leadership. However, right now, they want to see a unity of purpose across this House in order to fix these deep-rooted problems. The least we owe to the people who elected us is for all of us to show strong leadership in this time of crisis. I agree with Deputy Gogarty that we have to get rid of ministerial cars and we should consider the gardaí who guard Leinster House. We are not in a time of war but rather in a time of crisis and we could free ourselves from these trappings of power. We have to show leadership.

Politicians have to review how the business of the House is carried out. Deputy Kenny said he would ask the people to decide in a referendum on the need for an Upper House. If politicians expect the people of this country to take the pain, we have to lead by example. I have no difficulty in saying that we have to take a cut in pay. I have already taken a voluntary cut in pay. I refer to Senator Donie Cassidy's remarks about the difficulty of living on €65,000 a year which is an insult to the people who are worried. We must unite together and we will get out of this mess through hope and leadership.

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