John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

We get the world as it is rather than as we would like it to be. Conditions in the economy have deteriorated. Gross national product declined by 2.5% last year and will fall by 4.5% and 1% this year and next year, respectively. Notwithstanding these figures, the Government is taking the correct course of action to ensure the economy remains on a sound fiscal footing. The Taoiseach is engaged with the social partners and has stated he wants everyone to be involved. He also wants to ensure those who can afford to pay do so, while those who are less well off are not asked to make any sacrifices or bear any of the burden. This is the correct policy.

It is wrong to state we have not made achievements in recent years. Major achievements have been made, including in the construction industry. We have a motorway system which will soon extend from all major cities to the capital, a rail system which is working well and an excellent housing stock in terms of heat retention and the standard and quality of living.