Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I fully support the points made by Senator Fitzgerald. We asked the Leader for a debate on the economy and the issues in the IMF report last week, and he agreed to find time for it. The Government did not accept the report, which is fair enough, but we should hear all the arguments. A week later we have not discussed it.

We now have an ESRI report, which is absolutely shocking. It predicts dole queues growing to 18%, the worst we have ever experienced, and we are being denied the opportunity to discuss it. It is extraordinary that it has taken Private Members' time from Fine Gael to get an opportunity to discuss NAMA. It is as if the Government is trying to censor debate in the Houses. These issues are all over the radio and the newspapers and they are confronting people in their workplaces. They are discussed at trade union meetings, management meetings and business meetings. Everyone is focusing on them except us. I suggest that, if Ministers do not want to face questioning on these issues, the Government send in their newly appointed economist from University College Galway so he can explain what is going on. I would like to hear a Government viewpoint and the opportunity to ask a few questions.

We are denying the reality of what is happening at a time when there is little or no confidence in the political system and the political classes are held in their lowest ever level of public regard. We should be seen to be grappling with the issues of concern to ordinary people who are looking at their mortgage payments and keeping their jobs and facing the prospect of living on the dole.

I appeal to the Leader to give us an opportunity to discuss this matter. I understood the other leaders had agreed to take the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill all day today so I did not object to it, but I certainly agree the Bill is too big to take in one day and there is no reason that it cannot be concluded tomorrow. The time for Committee and Remaining Stages should be put aside and we should have a debate on the economy this evening. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that there be a discussion on the economy to encompass the IMF report, the ESRI report and related matters.