Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

It is not rubbish, it is a matter of public record. These are the facts. There is a need to remain as agile as we have been and to ensure that as the situation evolves we are prepared, able and willing to take the necessary action. These characteristics have been displayed by the Minister, Deputy Lenihan, and his colleagues in extremely difficult times and under very difficult economic circumstances nationally and internationally. One need only consider the position in the UK, where almost all the banks have been partly nationalised with the exception of Barclays. There has been partial nationalisation and recapitalisation throughout the United States of America and the situation continues to evolve. There is significant uncertainty in the market.

I welcome the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank and I commend the Bill to the House. I refer to the overall economic crisis and our public finances. We can deal with any issues ourselves. I welcome the Government's intention to make adjustments and to include a further €2 billion. More may be required and I hope that we can proceed as a matter of the utmost urgency. I believe these steps should be taken in the context of social partnership. Throughout the 1980s social partnership laid the groundwork for the successes in the 1990s and up to the recent crisis. We must proceed through that approach. I do not believe it is helpful for any of the social partners to lay preconditions, which undermine the essence of partnership. We should not say that we are not prepared to discuss X or Y.

The critical issue is that to the fullest extent possible we maintain as many jobs in the economy as possible. That may require adjustments in terms of pay and it is important that we do not rule out examining that possibility. That applies from those in the Houses of the Oireachtas to those on minimum wages and we should be prepared to discuss these matters in a mature way. The model to take that forward is partnership. I do not believe it is helpful for certain entities to say they are not prepared to engage in that process unless the agenda excludes or includes certain items. We are in a crisis the likes of which the world has not seen in many decades, if ever. Everything must be up for discussion and we must display a level of determination and enthusiasm to take the correct decisions. We must show a little confidence in how we do so.

As for the body language of the entire Legislature, Members must improve how they go about dealing with such issues. Whether it is through offering constructive criticism, as Opposition Members have often done, it must be done in a positive manner. One should not simply be seen to be critical with the benefit of 20:20 vision in hindsight but make constructive and positive interventions. All sides of the House should show some confidence that the Oireachtas is prepared to take the appropriate decisions at the appropriate time, however rapid and necessary that may be. Members should do so in a way that is confident and which shows leadership to the people to the effect that this is a Legislature that can and will act and take the appropriate decisions on their behalf.

In the past 18 months many challenges have presented. However, Members should start from one reality, namely, the world has not and will not end. The country has faced many difficult challenges and at all junctures displayed the requisite level of agility, determination and innovation to surmount such challenges and ensure we are still standing. In these difficult days I commend the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and the Government on their determination. I wish them well in the weeks ahead as they continue to act on our behalf.