Shane Ross (Independent)

Yes I am. The Cathaoirleach always calls on me when he wants some calm. I support those who look for a debate on the economy. The Deputy Leader might help us by advising which Minister will come in to discuss it. There is a serious internal problem among the Government parties, touched on by Senator Coghlan when he called for a debate on Aer Rianta. There is a serious issue here and the Taoiseach should attend the House for the debate. It is widely suspected that there are people acting for other members of the Government who are briefing against the Minister for Finance in an attempt to have him removed and sent to Europe. That would be a very serious issue for the economy, not just because Fianna Fáil backbenchers are screaming about wanting to spend money prematurely on such matters as benchmarking, as became known today, but also because the eyes of foreign investors are currently on events in the Government. Particularly in view of what has happened in the European Union in the last few weeks, attempts to remove Deputy McCreevy by weak-kneed backbenchers or people above him will have an adverse effect on foreign investment and we may not have so much money to spend in the years ahead if Fianna Fáil continues to behave in this way.