Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

Who misled and betrayed the people? The Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Deputy Mary Hanafin, did not know about it. We are getting down to a very short list of misleaders and betrayers. It seems to me they must have been referring to the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach. How can they continue to have confidence in a Minister and a Taoiseach who allegedly misled and betrayed the Irish people? They are still in Government, using their State bicycles and enjoying the perks of office. There is still supposed to be collective responsibility. It is an insult to the Constitution that the two Green Party Ministers continue to participate in Cabinet. One is either in the Cabinet or one is out. A Minister cannot have a leg in both camps.

I was disappointed by the contribution by the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan. Much of his speech involved a discourse on the process and a rehearsal of old ground, such as the bank guarantee and resolution legislation. Certain questions have not been answered.

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