Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I am asking the Leader why Fianna Fáil Party Members come into the House day after day and agree with what we state but then vote against what we propose, vote with the Government and acquiesce in the policies that have left the legacy about which Senator Ó Murchú spoke. Why does this happen? That question should be answered. Why is it being allowed to happen? The reason is there is a moral vacuum within Fianna Fáil. I challenge every one of them to do the right thing.

As Senator Fitzgerald correctly stated, two bankers, the former CEO of the Irish Nationwide Building Society and Mr. Boucher, are receiving inordinately excessive and immoral amounts of money, yet there are persons who, at the behest of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, can have their medical cards taken away, their home help hours cut and lose a job. Is that right? Is that the legacy the Leader of the House wants to have? The legacy of Deputy Bertie Ahern is one that has divided Ireland and plunged it from the so-called premier division to the conference league. That is the legacy Fianna Fáil has left us having been in government for the past 13 years. It is no wonder people are angry. They ask why the Government has not interceded, but it will tell us it has no role.

I will conclude on this point.