Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

The Seanad has also highlighted the actions of Ministers who have come before us and given glib speeches and have been in denial about issues such as recapitalisation of the banks, the public finances and the need for a new budget. These issues have been exposed by debate in this House.

The vetting of legislation, the questioning of Ministers and the opposition provided in the House have been useful in inducing the Government to take action at different times, not least in giving a commitment to introduce a mini-budget. It takes many people to influence the Government, whose members are slow learners. Peter Sutherland, Garret FitzGerald, a series of economists and the Opposition have stressed the importance of the Taoiseach taking action.