Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

From this side of the House I wish to thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the unfailing courtesy, latitude and on occasion, necessary firmness he has shown to all Members of this House. It is strange feeling to have a one-Chamber Oireachtas although this is very temporarily the case.

I wish to endorse fully all the sentiments expressed by Senator Brian Hayes about the importance of exercising one's democratic rights. He made the valid point that we are a young democracy. In that context I wish to recite a couple of lines from Charles Kickham:

The nations have fallen, but thou still art young.

Thy sun is but rising, while others have set,

And — tho' slavery's cloud o'er the morning hath hung,

The full noon of freedom will beam round thee yet.

Whatever Government is elected by the will of the people to run the affairs of the nation over the next five years will inherit an economy in rude good health.

Debate will now take place on the hustings and not in this House. Statistics show a GNP growth of 7.4% in 2006. That is the highest it has been since the peak of the Celtic tiger years in 2000. Industrial employment is up 2,800. Unemployment stands at 4.2%. Industrial earnings are up 5.3%.