Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I apologise for spoiling the time arrangements. I have only a little more to say in my contribution.

The framework for economic renewal programme announced yesterday contains many issues and policies that have been announced with great fanfare over recent years, whether that is Transport 21 or the establishment of the new "bord snip", yet none of these measures is new and none of them indicates the Government has a handle on the real problems that exist at present. This is the Government that got us into this mess and it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is not capable of getting us out of it. It is not up to the task. With the 40-day recess over Christmas, the Taoiseach and the Government, in all the circumstances, should consider throwing in the towel.