Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

Yes, I have two questions for the Leader. I have mentioned issues of political corruption and competence. There is a serious question of political incompetence and we are paying the price for it.

The Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, does not have a mandate from the country one year after his elevation to that position. He does not seem to have a mandate from his coalition partners, given the statements of the Minister, Eoin Ryan, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, and Senator Dan Boyle. It increasingly seems as if he does not have a mandate from his own party. At this juncture, and given the perilous state of our economy and that lack of mandate, is it not time for the Taoiseach and Government to consider, after the European and local elections, having a general election and making a clean sweep of the political process?

I ask the Leader to clarify if he has a coalition partner in the Green Party, in light of the statements made by the Minister, Deputy Gormley, the Minister, Eoin Ryan-----