Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I join speakers in wishing the Minister for Finance well today. There is no doubt but that he has a major task in hand. We are prepared for it, given our debates and the media coverage. The Minister has the mettle to handle the matter, as he proved through his intervention in guaranteeing the financial institutions. The House played a significant role in that respect and won many kudos, not that we were looking for such, thanks to our all-night session in response to an urgent requirement.

I take a certain amount of solace and guidance from the Minister's statement to the effect that we should not be consumed by fear. There is no doubt that the budget will be difficult in its own right, but I have been especially impressed in recent weeks by the tone of the media coverage. Members of the media have been showing a realistic approach in responding to this crisis, which they well know is not just a domestic crisis. We are in a competitive field and feel the wind of what is occurring elsewhere in the world.

I take Senator Norris's point, which I have raised previously, that we must look after the most vulnerable members of society. To do so, the rest of us must feel some pain. If we do not, it will be most unfair because many of the people in question have not benefited from the Celtic tiger to the same extent as many of the rest of us.

If we take the media's cue and work in a united fashion to take responsibility in a non-partisan way, we can get out of this problem relatively quickly. No one can predict how long it will take and none of us will prejudge today's budget, but we have an inkling of certain cuts and savings thanks to some of the available information. The message we seem to be getting is that the most vulnerable will be protected. Only one Department will not be interfered with, namely, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, which provides help to people who need it.

We should not be contemplating a fire brigade action. We must think long-term. We must maintain confidence in business, tourism and the construction industry. We all have an obligation to act positively in this respect.