Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I marvel at the degree to which the Government, in extraordinarily difficult circumstances, has managed to bring people along with it and to support and encourage them as much as possible. It has been a trying task. The Government has succeeded so far. The people of this country have succeeded so far. We are all getting near the end of our tethers. We must see the light at the end of the tunnel. If we do not stick strictly to the targets that have been set for us, we will get nowhere. We will end up back where we were. There are intelligent people on that side of the House who know full well the consequences of slipping back to 2011 or 2012. We would pay a heavy price. The people of this country deserve better. They have made considerable sacrifices, and it would be a tragedy if those were to be set at naught.

Like every Deputy, I deal with constituents on a daily, weekly and nightly basis. We know full well the degree to which hardship has affected the people whom we represent. As far as the country is concerned, this is where the test will come. If people trust that we are on the right track, the economy and everyone will survive and we will not need to repeat the dose for the next three or four years. However, if people are misled by the prophets of doom and those who pretend there is no need to pursue these policies, the price will be large and will have a lasting affect on this country and its people. As in other countries, there will be street protests, baton charges and civic disturbances on a daily basis. We do not want to go there. This country and its people, along with the Government, have succeeded in the past two and a half years-----

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