Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

The 90th anniversary of the sitting of the First Dáil is an important occasion that we should embrace. I ask the Leader that Seanad Éireann highlight the event and emphasise the importance of the civic, social and political life of the country to the wider population through the schools and, more important, through community life. It is an occasion of celebration and renewal. I ask the Leader to invite the Taoiseach to the House. It is the patriotic duty of Government to lead, but the Government is not leading. I ask the Members opposite who come in here every day what is their Government saying to the 14,000 people who are three months from losing their mortgage. What do the Members opposite say to the thousands of people who have become unemployed since their parties came into Government? What do they say to the people who today are——