Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

On the day we learned that all learner drivers must be accompanied from now on, it appears it is vital the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, is accompanied by someone qualified to manage and lead the economy at this critical juncture. He has failed in his provisional in finance.

I have two questions for the Leader in this regard. Why, as Minister for Finance, did the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, not let the people know the truth about the economy? The figures were rolling into the Department of Finance. What are the sound fundamentals in our economy at present? The people of the country need to know them so we know where we are going. This must be addressed in our debate.