John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

It was not my intention to speak but events and what has been said indicate that I should add a word of caution. The enabling amendments before us are technical in nature. I understand how Opposition Members might express anxieties about what they might mean. As regards what they will mean, however, we can give a view as to what is proper or not. It is not correct to say that we are not prepared to make sacrifices. We are the first people who must do so. We must give a lead. It is entirely appropriate that everybody together - which, as I understand it, is the Government's intention - would come back to the 2004 levels of standard of living. We can then take it from there and start rebuilding a competitive economy. If we do not give the lead, who will? There are caveats within that, however. It does not help the debate to use quotations from a "dúirt bean liom go ndúirt bean leí" Fianna Fáil TD who was quoted in the media.