Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

It is forecast that the growth rate will be positive at the back end of the year, which is not too far away. We come to the close of the parliamentary session with the tantalising prospect of economic recovery beginning at the latter end of year and continuing into 2011. That is good news for all Members of the House and all those outside who look to the Houses for guidance and leadership and the light at the end of the tunnel that recovery represents for many who have lost their jobs or are in employment which is vulnerable.

We have taken and delivered hard medicine to the economy and the spending profile of the Government and public services. These tough decisions were not taken with any relish, but we have taken the decisions that will restore the cost competitiveness of the economy and the country. It is not only the Government who is saying this. Virtually every independent economic commentator at international level commends, with awe and envy, what Ireland has done in the past two years. The Government has been involved in a fire-fight during the economic crisis. It may be that we have not communicated our aims, ambitions and goals clearly. However, if a small restaurateur has a fire in the kitchen, it is very difficult to provide good customer service while the fire is raging in the kitchen.