Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

These are decent ordinary people who were working 12 months ago, 12 weeks ago or 12 days ago. This Government has not given them any hope.

The Government, through the Cork docklands issue, has betrayed the people of Cork city. We were promised 12 months ago that the Cork docklands would be included in the budget but they were not. There was mention in the budget of Seveso sites. Barack Obama is talking about investment in infrastructure. Let us build the gateway bridge in Cork city, the Sarsfield Road and Bandon Road flyover and let us invest in construction for Cork city. It is not happening, however.

What happened this morning is the litmus test for how the Government has failed the people. Banks, and those in the industry, think they can walk on water——