Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

There is no doubt but that the election campaign was difficult. People were extremely angry as a result of the fact that the Government was obliged to make tough decisions. Regardless of who might be in government, at times such as those we are experiencing, difficult decisions must be made and pain must be endured. Fianna Fáil is in government and naturally it has been blamed for what has happened. If Fine Gael was in government, it would also be blamed for the tough decisions it might be obliged to make. That is the reality of the situation and we must find the money from somewhere. I do not know from where Fine Gael would produce the money required but we have put our proposals on the table in that regard.

I accept that people might not like what we are doing. If Fine Gael has a better option, it should put it forward. However, who is to say that people would like that party any better than Fianna Fáil?