Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Carroll for sharing time. Lemass was a great example to all of us. The Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, often refers to him. He stated that Lemass instinctively grasped that in difficult economic times, confidence was the gold standard. In today's circumstances it is worth noting that he sought confidence as a necessary precondition for growth and for pioneering a flourishing economy. There is irony in this motion because the Opposition is in flux in respect of confidence in their own leader which is obvious and there for all to see. The Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, as well as the former Taoiseach, Mr. Lemass, saw the ingenuity and capacity of the people as the way to shape a better future for all of us. There is almost nothing on earth the Irish people cannot do as well as, if not better than, any other people once they put their minds to it. Confidence in our Government to bring us through these difficult times is visible from the numbers who have spoken here tonight, in the Dáil and throughout the country. Such is the confidence in our Government and our Taoiseach.