Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

In reference to Senator Coghlan's comments, will the Leader outline the days on which the House will sit before Christmas and the business ordered to be taken? It is important, out of respect for the House, the staff and Members, that we know where we are going.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Finance to come before the House on Tuesday to outline in advance of the budget what he is doing on social partnership? The comments attributed to the general secretary of the INO are unhelpful. While I understand his frustration about the talks, it behoves all of us to protect the most vulnerable in society. If we are serious about tackling the injustice inflicted by the Government on the ordinary citizen, decisions must be taken that are unpalatable.

This morning Fine Gael will unveil its pre-budget submission. We will not pull punches and will act in the interests of creating sustainable communities and looking after the most vulnerable in putting people first, not vested interests. That is where we disagree with Fianna Fáil. That is why I said yesterday on the Order of Business that the Taoiseach must address the nation to outline what he was trying to achieve and how we were going to do it. He must explain to the people in plain English the realities of life that we face. Until now, he has made a monumental cock up of it.