Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Taoiseach is obviously encouraged by the media commentary on his defence of the indefensible here last week when he employed an old talent he had buried for some time, namely, his usual bluster. While that may have given a bit of lift to Fianna Fail backbenchers, it has done absolutely nothing for the wider public or to assuage the real fears of Opposition voices in this House. Contrary to the Taoiseach's view that the question I posed implies "sit still and everything will be fine", nothing could be further from the truth. The Taoiseach has not answered any of the questions I put to him.

The Taoiseach referred to having read other parties documents. Without question, I am confident that I can stand over the potential impact of the stimulus package we have commended in our recommendations. The Government has not provided a stimulus package on job retention or creation. The national impoverishment plan which the Government is outworking and under which it introduced with some trumpeting last week the first budget------

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