Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is clear where those on this side of the House stand. There is no division over the Government's commitment to proceed with solving the economic crisis. Of all the Ministers in government, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, is the most determined, resolute and fearless. He has tackled all the issues that have arisen in his Department with absolute clarity. He has done what few Ministers have ever done, for example, in tackling judges' pay when some members of the Judiciary refused to accept the same salary reductions as everyone else in the public sector. He ensures things are done correctly and properly. He was responsible for the Government apology for the Magdalen laundries which Fianna Fáil Ministers in previous Governments were unable to provide. The Minister's record is clear.

Members of the public want the Oireachtas to deal with the economy and engage in tangible debates. They do not want the Fianna Fáil Party to become the stooges of the Independent Members. Tonight, people at home are not turning to their television sets but reaching for the telephone or Skype to call members of their families living thousands of miles away. They want the Opposition to tackle the Government on issues such as unemployment and use Private Members' time, sacred as it is, to engage in tangible debates. Instead, Fianna Fáil is abusing and wasting Private Members' time on a useless motion that will not go anywhere.

The facts are clear; there is no record or report about a Deputy being drunk and refusing to take a breathalyser test. The Fianna Fáil Party persists with a lie when there is nothing to substantiate the allegation that has been made. I suggest it start to deal with the real issues of the economy and put the Government to the test by debating its policies rather than wasting time tabling pointless, useless, spineless motions such as that before us.

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