Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

The poll in today's Irish Independent shows a total loss of confidence among the Irish people in the Taoiseach. I ask the Leader of the House to request the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, to address this House on why the framework document for dealing with this crisis is described by the European Commission as unclear and undeveloped. It is not the roadmap that we need for dealing with the financial and political crisis in which we find ourselves.

I also ask the Taoiseach to come in here to give us an update on the figures from the Department of Finance that were highlighted here last night by Senator Donohoe. Clearly, these are outdated and overly-optimistic, even though the report concerned was only published last month. That is contributing to the people's lack of confidence in the Taoiseach.

I would like the Taoiseach to explain the cutbacks announced intermittently since last October, which have been piecemeal and have disproportionately affected the poor and the vulnerable in society. I would like him to come into the House to make a clear and unambiguous statement on the Irish economy and what he will do about it. The current position has contributed to a collapse in confidence among the Irish people in the Taoiseach and the Government, as can be seen not only from today's opinion poll but from a succession of opinion polls. The position is stark when one reads the findings of today's opinion poll. I would like that to be done immediately on behalf of this House.