Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy can rest assured that the Government still has a majority in the Dáil and a substantial majority in the Seanad. As he pointed out, there is little or no evidence that the Opposition parties would be able to come together to form an alternative Government. You do not need an election to form an alternative Government. The parties opposite could have formed a left-wing Government two years ago but they decided not to. The position in that regard has not changed.

The Government will address the matters raised by the Deputy, work on them and do the best it can to protect people's living standards. That is the job of the Government. We need to do this in a sensible way and in a way that does not drive up inflation. We cannot do it with borrowed money. This is the approach we will take. I echo the comments of Deputy Cowen on "Morning Ireland" earlier when he said that some of the best Governments this country ever had were minority Governments. I had the privilege to lead one for three years. I do not believe we will get into that scenario, but people need not fear an election any time soon.

See this speech in context