Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I can remember what Deputy McGrath was campaigning for before the last general election. He campaigned for the spending of more money in an economy that did not have enough. He decided to change course because he felt that the resources were there. Unfortunately, he was misleading the public, and I would ask him not to continue to mislead the public in the future.

I ask Members of the Opposition not to treat us with shrill exclamations, and not to point the finger at the Government and ask why it has not solved the problem after seven or eight months. I hope the day does not dawn soon when the people suggesting this are given an opportunity to do exactly what they intend to do. There is a grave danger that something might well happen at some time in the future, and that the whole litany of sacrifices now being made will have to be made all over again, because certain people may well come forward with a suggestion that there is an easier way. We have heard all that before.

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