Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I want to say a couple of words on this document and the responses received in the House. I am amazed that this document has proved to be too right wing for Sinn Féin and too left wing for some of the Government and Independent representatives. In the spirit of a party going to the trouble in opposition of presenting a document, I would expect a little more from the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, and some of the Government representatives than to mock it as being aspirational and not thought through. On the whining and griping that comes from Government continuously about this document, if it has proposals to change and improve its provision we are in favour of that.

If there is one party for which I want to reserve my particular displeasure, it is the Green Party. It reminds me of the pigs in George Orwell's Animal Farm, when they used to go around saying "Two legs bad, four legs good" until they got into the farmhouse themselves and became in charge. They are starting to tell us, "Four legs good but two legs better". Senator Boyle has nothing to offer only constant criticism of any policy offered. He will never learn anything about an Opposition party's policy documents if he arrives into the House two minutes before he makes his speech and disappears immediately afterwards. The quality of his researchers is good and no doubt he is getting good briefings from Government, but he needs to stay here for a little longer and learn a little more about what is happening.

I would like to think if we go to the trouble of presenting these policy documents to the House the Government will say that there are good points and state what it will or will not take out of it. The Government has been copying Fine Gael policy for some time, which we do not mind — that is not a problem — but I would like to see these debates, when we go to the trouble of having them, a little more constructive for the benefit of the people.