Shane Ross (Independent)

Like other speakers, I offer a guarded welcome to the Government's decision to introduce a mini-budget at the end of this month. However, even though there will be relief at this decision, the Government does not deserve great credit. Its management of the economy and its attitude towards the crisis in the banking sector simply has been to react to the latest disaster or set of figures. It took the absolutely disastrous set of figures published yesterday to force it to do what it had said it would not do. The reality is that there is absolute bedlam in the public finances. They are completely out of control. If the Government had not acted yesterday, the consequences would have been cataclysmic for various areas of the economy, whether in terms of increased borrowing rates or another run on the banks. The lack of international confidence in Ireland would have increased. The Government has run the economy into this situation and it was reluctant to take action until forced to do so. It is now introducing, under incredible pressure, measures it wanted to delay.

I caution Opposition leaders against falling into a political trap when they examine the books. If they look at the books and make suggestions, they will be blamed for the pain that will be inflicted. The Government is asking for the Opposition's ideas on punishing the Irish people so that it can share the blame. A cunning, cynical, dangerous game is being played and the Opposition should be careful. It is the Government's responsibility to address these problems. I will ask the Deputy Leader a question now.