Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

The reality is that for many people, the economic bleakness of Christmas will continue into the new year. Unemployment is increasing, retail sales are down and house repossessions are on the rise. We have a banking crisis, with the Taoiseach telling us the banks have sufficient capitalisation while it becomes increasingly clear that those same banks have been telling lies to us all for no one knows how long. We are in crisis. I use the word "lies" deliberately. The representatives of the banks misled the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service last summer.

The Leader is a businessman and is undoubtedly aware of the difficulties being experienced by small businesses. Will their concerns be taken seriously? We need a Government with a plan. There has been no debate on the economy in this House since the budget. I know Members on the Government side are under pressure and running scared. Ordinary people are also under pressure. We must have a debate as a matter of urgency.