Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

To consistently air-brush what our political party has achieved over many decades of service to the country is totally unacceptable and I am entitled to defend my position on that.

Regarding how Ireland can address the underlying difficulties, I accept that we have a budgetary difficulty that is very challenging - not for the Government that can make these decisions but in the context of the impact it will have on people's lives, including those on social welfare, those who have lost their jobs and those in fear of losing their homes. It must be acknowledged that the four-year plan has been published and supported by the European institutions and the IMF. For people to suggest that we have surrendered our sovereignty is simplistic and undermines the sheer reality of what faces the State. It would be completely irresponsible for any government to propose a budget on 7 December knowing it could not fund it when the State's cash reserves run out in June or July 2011. We have a duty as a Government and as a Parliament to at least acknowledge that the State is now funded for several years and can get on with dealing with the serious challenges that face us. Equally we are able to fund the services the Government has build up over many years.

We have had a very difficult time as a people. Most parliamentarians come in here with genuine beliefs and want to represent the views of their constituents. However, we also have a duty to ensure that there is a positive image that gives hope to the people. While I accept the people are shattered at this time, we can certainly get through the crisis with leadership and by facing the challenges in an honest manner and at least being up-front and showing what the Opposition would do or what we would do if returned to government. People need to have this honest debate.

The Government has invested enormous amounts in social welfare, education and health. However, in the area of economic recovery we have invested vast sums - and will continue to do so - in promoting indigenous companies and in attracting foreign direct investment. It behoves on all of us to send out a positive signal that Ireland is still a country with positive fundamental aspects. It has a very well educated and flexible workforce - while some people might argue it is too flexible, Deputy Higgins and I can have that argument another time. Given these two factors coupled with investment in infrastructure, it is still a country where we can attract and are attracting large levels of foreign direct investment. Whether in opposition or in government everybody in this House who recently endorsed the 12.5% corporation tax rate should send out those positive messages. The damage that some of the discourse is having on Ireland is unacceptable. For the sake of everybody, let us have honest debate and be up-front with people while at the same time meeting the challenges in a positive way as opposed to continually promulgating doomsday scenarios.

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