Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to say a few words in this very important debate. Having listened to the contributions today and yesterday, one is concerned about the honesty of the Government regarding this issue and about how much money each man, woman and child in the country owes? Clarification needs to be given on this. We need to spell out to the people of Ireland how much they owe and what is the truth of the situation. That is my concern. While we listen in this House to speeches written by people in ministerial offices, the public want to know how much they owe and how much they will be charged to pay it back. That is the cornerstone of this debate. When we have finished this evening, the Irish people ought to know that. They need to see honesty coming from the Government. The public are angry because they do not believe what they are hearing from Government. It has changed in the last number of years, months and even weeks. We need to be honest with ourselves about where the country is and in the way we tackle our problems.

There is huge wastage in the country. The public service needs reform and the Government has failed to bring it about. I am delighted the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is present because people throughout the country are angry about the single farm payment.

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