Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

Yesterday the nation was shocked, as was I, by George Lee's quick exit from politics but it was no less a shock than that felt by the 175 people who lost their jobs in Boston Scientific, Galway, yesterday. The company is a wonderful employer with more than 3,000 workers but another 175 people have been hurt, their homes are under threat and they will have huge money worries, given the personal indebtedness we all face. In addition, it is feared the banks will become aggressive once their bad loans have been off-loaded to NAMA. This is why I support Senator Fitzgerald and others who called for the Minister for Finance to come to the House to address and to evaluate how well the Government's economic plan is progressing.