Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

This situation of economic meltdown in which we find ourselves is a direct result of political failure. Politics in this House and in this country has been cocooned and completely disconnected from reality. It has been driven by populism and has proven itself to be more about self service than public service. The political system has failed us and it continues to fail our people. It focused primarily on individuals being re-elected rather than focusing on political accountability and proper governance of the State. It is time to change.

There has been much talk recently about sovereignty in the context of the IMF coming in to salvage our economy. There has been much talk about sovereignty in the context of the European Union and the European Central Bank. I contend the greatest threat to our democracy and to our economic wellbeing and economic and political sovereignty, is the prospect of Independent Deputies and Government backbenchers holding this country to ransom at the next budget or the following budget or the one after that. I am not prepared to allow this to happen. I am not prepared to allow narrow, local - albeit important in the local context - interests to be given priority by the Government ahead of the national interest and ahead of the political and economic priorities facing this State. Gombeenism and parochial politics have no place in the recovery of this country and the recovery of this economy. My main message to the Government is that we cannot allow Independents and backbenchers to hold the Government or this country to ransom. All Members of this House have a responsibility to ensure this does not happen and that it is not allowed to happen on 8 December.

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