Michael McCarthy (Labour)

Will the Leader confirm whether this was a sinister attempt on the part of the Minister for Finance to buy votes in the forthcoming local and European elections? I have no doubt, nor has the public at large, that this is the case.

The second issue relates to the announcement this week that the 1,100 jobs due to materialise in Longford following the establishment of an American health care company will not now happen. This is very disappointing for the particular area and the region in general. The 1,100 jobs are directly linked to the "golden Thursday" announcements. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Tánaiste to visit this House and debate every jobs announcement she made that day. The list of jobs that have not materialised is endless. In each area that was included in an announcement, the Progressive Democrats marginally won the last seat.