John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to request the incoming Minister for Finance to attend in the House to discuss the challenges facing the economy. I am not one of those who believes we take responsibility for aspects that are outside our control. We have managed this economy with a view to it being an open market economy in a world market. Advanced factories, taxation policies, the IFSC, the Shannon free zone and grants were put in place. Therefore we have built the economy to benefit from world trade. If, as has happened, there was international trading in securities which caused the credit crunch that will pass, it is not our responsibility. Accordingly, I believe we can take credit for the work we have done for the economy and we do not have to take the blame for something that was completely outside our control. Listening to some of the commentators, one might believe the sky is falling. That is not my view. I do not subscribe to the "chicken little" school of economics. This is a well-managed economy, as it will continue to be, under the stewardship of Fianna Fáil.