Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I am grateful to the Minister of State for his usual clarity when dealing with these complex issues. He has left nobody in any doubt as to the calibre of the individual who will be appointed. We wish that person well. I suggest to the Minister of State that Ireland should not stand on its pride when it comes to worthwhile projects. In the context of the Minister of State's reply about our growing economic power and strength, I referred earlier to three countries with equal economic power and strength. Sweden has a higher GDP than Ireland. Germany is normally an economic power house. Italy goes from being very good to not so very good but also has the resources required without need to rely on the bank. I hope what the Minister of State said at the end of his response will become the norm rather than the exception. If there are worthwhile projects identified — and I do not wish to go into the detail of who identifies them but I cited one possible project on the apprenticeship issue from which Germany is benefiting by way of the bank — I would not like to think that Ireland would stand back and decide it is too proud to take any money back from the bank. I remember reading as a child that we did much the same when asked to take part in the Marshall plan at a time when we could have done with it. We said we were not that poor.