Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)

It is very unfair to us when we are trying to debate this in good faith with the Minister and he will not tell us what he means by "financial hardship". It does not make sense. I do not wish us to continue in this manner. There was great hope when the Government was elected in February of last year. People said that we needed a change. They were sick of what went before. The rhetoric in the lead-up to the election from Fine Gael and Labour suggested a new beginning. We were led to expect transparency, honesty, openness and fairness and that the Government would stand by the ordinary people and look after those most in need. Unfortunately, the record to date suggests otherwise. I do not take solace in saying that, for the sake of attacking the Government. I find it incomprehensible to say the least that we paid €1.25 billion today to a toxic bank yet we do not know what the term "financial hardship" means in respect of people who have come all the way from Connemara and other parts of the west to protest outside the Houses. They could return home tonight knowing that, by being here today, they have been given answers to questions that have concerned them and many others across rural Ireland.

Irrespective of whether the Minister knows it, people residing in rural Ireland feel discriminated against. They have been neglected politically and have found themselves being caught for everything. One cannot even go for a pint because it would put one off the road. There are no public services left in most of rural Ireland. Small post offices, Garda barracks and small shops are gone.

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