Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

It is not all the Government's fault. We had a different experience in Ireland which was compounded by our reliance on the receipts from the residential and commercial property boom. I am not shy about apologising for that. Our Government, which I have supported since 1997, was a factor and did contribute to that by failing to read the danger signals. I accept that. Some people maintain we are loth or unable to accept the criticism but we accept it. The Taoiseach, many members of the Government and I have openly and honestly stated we accept the criticisms for what they are worth.