Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I concur with Senator Quinn because I made the same points before the current economic upheaval. I did not in any way mean to detract from the status of the Opposition in doing so, but on one occasion I referred to the Tallaght strategy. I recall watching "Oireachtas Report" after I had done so and hearing some of the comments made by those opposite. I wondered whether I had framed my remarks in the wrong way. I meant what I said as a genuine compliment. I praised Alan Dukes and Fine Gael on the stand they took. If we are truly to congratulate and compliment the President-elect of America, we should learn lessons from and find parallels with regard to what has occurred. One of the lessons I have learned is that Senator Obama has united the American people, even though they are aware that their country will be obliged to deal with severe problems, economic and otherwise, in the near future.

As Senator Quinn and others stated, in a few months this will be common currency in the debate. In other words, we will have undergone the first stage of trying to come to terms with some difficult challenges. At that point, we will be obliged, in a patriotic and united way, to find solutions. Le cúnamh Dé, that will be the outcome not only on both sides of this House but also among members of the public.