Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I take issue with the remarks made by Senator Hanafin. It is outrageous that he should distort the record of the House and suggest that in the past Fine Gael did not vigorously oppose the policies that led to overheating in the economy and under which spending was mismanaged. In successive budget speeches Deputy Richard Bruton outlined the difficulties that would arise in this regard. In so doing he continued the tradition of economic prudence established under the Government led by Mr. John Bruton.