Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

One of the Government's and nation's key problems is our lack of revenue sources for the Exchequer. Revenue from stamp duty has gone and VAT, PRSI and PAYE receipts are down. In this context, I want an early debate with the Tánaiste to discuss the ways in which Irish companies working in the South of Ireland are being totally outpriced by their opposite numbers in the North. For example, builders providers and supermarkets in the South are buying their products 15% to 20% cheaper in the North than they are selling for here.

In the short term that may be good for the consumer but it is bad for Irish jobs and for the Exchequer which is badly in need of revenue sources at this time. We may have an all-Ireland nation politically in terms of the arrangements we have, but we certainly do not have an all-Ireland economy. The Tánaiste is failing by not acting and I ask the Leader to bring her to the House so that we can look at stopping these revenue sources being lost to the Irish Exchequer.

I support the call by the German Chancellor, Ms Angela Merkel, to the Government to give an honest report on our banking situation at Sunday's summit. It was a wonderful call and an offer of the hand of friendship and co-operation from the German Chancellor. Until we have the facts, how can the problem be solved? There is no doubt that more is known than is being said by the Cabinet. To support what Senator Twomey said, I would like the Leader to invite the Taoiseach to address this House with his plan for national recovery at this time.