Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

Her leader presided over the drift and lack of direction which Mr. Barrett decried and deplored and that must be recognised.

We need to have a debate on education. A cohort of young people in our society about whom we had a debate last night, need action more than pity. Two thirds of young men living in Limerick county and city are signing on and it is the same in other counties while 22,000 men aged under 25 in Dublin are sharing the same experience. Colleagues referred to what is happening in Greece but I would sound a note of caution because repeatedly we see pride before the fall. It must be recognised that our country is still on the edge of a precipice. Thank God we are on the right side of it but we must be vigilant and decisive in ensuring we do not end up in the same place. In a week in which we have heard many discussions about the role, purpose and value of politics, we should pause and recognise what is happening Europe-wide. Politics should fuse the idea of self-interest with the idea of solidarity and that is the direction the EU could take with Greece. It should be recognised and praised if it goes in that direction.