Shane Ross (Independent)

There are people not far away from here who know those names. It certainly would relieve some of the reasonable public disquiet if they were released without any prejudice.

That said, we are in danger every day in this House of whistling past the graveyard. I ask the Leader to comment on the following. I have a great deal of sympathy with much of what was said on the economy on all sides today about the real problems which are being faced, but I am not sure people realise the situation we are in. This is not just a matter of one problem here and another problem there being solved — the pension levy, the banks and so on, which are all cumulative and disastrous. The real question is whether Ireland is facing national bankruptcy. Although I did not hear it expressed in the House, I heard it expressed yesterday and it is the question on people's lips which is not often uttered publicly. I was staggered to hear this question asked yesterday on George Hook's programme on Newstalk radio where an absolutely reputable economist from overseas, not in the pay of any of the banks, asked the question whether Ireland is facing national bankruptcy. He suggested we were heading in that direction.

That is not alarmist. It is actually where we are going and is what everybody outside this country but not inside it is suggesting.