Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)

Essentially because time does not allow me to go further, I will make one point. There has been condemnation of the work of politics and the work of this House, and, indeed, the reputation of politics in general that has been dragged through the mud because of what has gone on in this country as a result of a link between politics and business. People in this country have a right to approach their Deputies, their public representatives, about issues. There have been approximately 1,500 Members of this House since the foundation of the State and the vast majority of them were hardworking, decent and honourable. The activities of a few have cast a dark shadow over public life. It was Tipp O'Neill who said that "All politics is local". I make no apologies to anybody for the access that people in their communities have in terms of the political system and their Deputies. It is our role and duty.

On the Fianna Fáil response to the Moriarty tribunal, three words come to mind - pot, kettle and black.

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