Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

If there is a problem, Members opposite should look in the mirror. They should face up to their responsibility as members of the Government.

There is little regard for the social consequences of these Government policies. One need only walk into any working-class area or any neighbourhood where people would not previously have expected to find themselves economically vulnerable. Members opposite should ask themselves whether our people deserve better. It is our strong view that they do. Instead of nonsensical heckling about issues of which they know nothing, Government Members should offer an explanation as to how the ESB can be categorised as a non-strategic State asset.

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