Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support the call for a weekly debate on the economy, which has been proposed here before. It is not sufficient to have a related debate every few weeks on a given issue. If we are to do justice to this House and also endeavour to contribute to solving the economic difficulties, it must be done methodically. It should be possible to reach cross-party agreement as to what that method should be. In dealing with such a complex issue one cannot expect to come up with a focused solution in two or three hours. It will not happen. It must be broken down into segments, but that will only be successful if we are sure that on the schedule every week a section of that debate will take place in the House. I do not mean for an hour; it must be for an extended period.

We did not need the IMF report to realise we had a serious situation. That is why we have so much agitation and a feeling of helplessness. We know how serious the situation is. Perhaps it took some time for it to sink in. For a number of months we just could not believe we were in a recession and were subject to global economic forces, but we know it now. People in the dole queues know it most of all because they cannot pay their mortgages. They have no hope and there is not even an escape route out of Ireland to get jobs abroad like there was in the past. We have a serious situation but nothing will be gained by either side of the House in making a political football out of this. The only hope we have it to recognise the potential of this Chamber, but we must do so in a manner that focuses on the issues involved. I agree with Senator Hanafin in this respect. I see nothing wrong with having the proposals of each group in this House on our desks. We would gain kudos from the public and it would help those who cannot help themselves.