Eoghan Harris (Independent)

Overstating anything borders on falsehood. I wish to go against the grain of two consensuses that have developed in the House in recent weeks. First, the three authors of the two banking reports did not state the recession was purely domestically made. In subsequent press conferences and in all of the media, they went out of their way to point out that there were global influences. It is like saying there was no connection between the fascism that broke out in Spain, France, Romania, Portugal and Ireland in the 1930s. Every country in recession saw a sub-prime situation, banking recklessness and all of the contours of the Irish situation. While the Irish crisis is a domestic one, it is not isolated from the rest of the world.

Second, I wish to raise the matter of Israel. The Czech ambassador was present in the House a few minutes ago. I would recommend Members to study carefully the temperate and calm statement of the Czech President, who managed to give Israel and the Palestinians their dues. It contrasts strongly with the intemperate hysteria being created by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin.