James Bannon (Fine Gael)

The Leader assured us yesterday that the Minister of State would give us a commitment to provide the extra gardaí before the end of this Government's term in office. Perhaps this is a record in terms of pre-election promises. Perhaps it sets a precedent for a deferral system whereby the promises prior to one election can be held over until the next one. In the history of the Government's delivery on its promises, this is probably not unusual or as deserving of a place in the Guinness Book of Records as it may seem.

As we all know, the Government's record has been dismal. It is the sick, the needy, the innocent victims of crime and the elderly and vulnerable who have borne the brunt of this Government's duplicity.