Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I am not concerned about traps being laid by Government. What is involved is much more important. Politically speaking, the public has made an irreversible decision in respect of the current Government. We on this side of the House are challenged to rise to the occasion and to respond to this grave national crisis. The man and woman on the street do not concern themselves with who is implementing measures. They want serious political attention to be given to the financial and economic distress faced by tens of thousands of people. I welcome the opportunity for Opposition parties to bring forth ideas, suggestions and proposals.

Many people on this side of the House and in Opposition in the other House hope to be part of the next Administration running this country. We must rise to the challenge and illustrate what we would do and how we would do it differently. I look forward to a debate next week or the following week when all issues will be up for discussion and we can outline some of the options and choices we would make. We must cast aside political difference and party political fears. It is not an exaggeration to say the country is going down the tubes before our eyes. I have been fortunate enough to be a Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas for over 20 years, as have a number of my colleagues and never in those 20 years, or in the history of the State, have we faced such a crisis. We celebrated the 90th anniversary of the first Dáil some weeks ago, but what we now face is the end of genuine Irish economic independence unless substantial decisions are taken very soon.

I am not worried about the party political side of the equation, I am gravely concerned about the state of the economy and the future of the country. This House has a major reflective role to play. We need to debate for a full week, sooner rather than later, the economic options facing the country. As Senator Ross said, a post-budget debate is a waste of time. It is the sort of political practice and gamesmanship that has got us into the mess we are in. Let us all work together and debate this issue next week. Let us be realistic. If not, we might as well shut down this House and go home.