Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

We have had many discussions in the past year on the economy and at times some of us considered there was a lack of reality in many of the discussions. We considered that negativity was beginning to smother any debate that might be positive or that might give us an opportunity to see where exactly we would solve the problem, which we all accept is of a catastrophic nature. I am glad to state one senior trade unionist has shown a sense of reality by stating clearly that if we do not make the cuts now required in the public sector, there will be only one answer, that is, a loss of jobs. That gives us an idea of the two situations with which we have to deal.

Sometimes we miss out on positive news. In recent hours we have seen figures which indicate consumer confidence has taken a major jump; in fact, those who conducted the survey were surprised by the jump. It was the highest in the past 18 months. They went a step further and stated they believed the reason this had happened was that most people accepted that the worst was over and that we were focusing on the solutions that lay ahead.

I do not honestly see what can be achieved by a day of protest.