Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I spoke on the budget and on the Social Welfare Bill and now we have the final piece of the jigsaw that will deal with the immediate cuts that will come into effect as a result of the mismanagement of the economy. We could speak all day about the issues but every time a member of the Government stands up to speak, he tells us about the international crisis and the banking crisis. The last item on the agenda is always the mismanagement of the country. The international financial crisis also affected other countries but they are coming out the other end. The difference with Ireland is that the international and banking crises was compounded by the economic mess created by an arrogant Government that believed it could do no wrong.

Deputy Gogarty spoke about his involvement in the last two general elections. I am always fascinated by people who remember what they said as long ago as 2002 or 2000. The only things they seem to remember are what they got right.

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