Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

The question is for the Leader. The Taoiseach's nerves may be shattered after the disastrous decisions that have been taken in the budget, be it on medical cards for the elderly and so on. However, I would have thought that the Taoiseach would have found his composure after the long recess and found an ability to take decisions. I hope that he will be in a position to do that this afternoon. The social partnership talks, and social partnership itself, have proven to be a straitjacket on decision-making by the Government. It is about time that the Taoiseach got the message.