Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I agree with Senator O'Toole that there is a certain element of farce, theatre and pantomime about this motion at this time. Confidence is what the political discourse must be about. The Houses of the Oireachtas must convey it to all who are out of work and their families. I am one of them because my eldest daughter and many of her contemporaries, having received a third level education, are hoping to get work. I understand the pain and distress suffered by people across the country. The Taoiseach and the Government fully understand them, too. They are conveying confidence, which has been reciprocated by every international economic commentator from the Financial Times to The Wall Street Journal and every finance Minister across Europe. The path chosen by the Government, led by the Taoiseach, is the right one to follow. If only one thing comes out of this debate, I hope it is the confidence needed to convey to the people that they can have hope in the future.