Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

As we are on the issue, we should have a debate on the economy because there is much positive sentiment to the effect that we may have growth of 2% next year. This must be balanced with the acknowledgement that we will borrow €20 billion for the foreseeable future to balance the Government's spending. This is the equivalent to approximately 15% of our GDP. We need this debate to show people where we are going with the economy. We should not get over-enthusiastic that we have somehow come out of the mess we were walked into by the Government.

I was taken by the gushing sentiments from Fianna Fáil for a royal visit. It is very touching. We may need to put a queen of our own in Áras an Uachtaráin to counteract all the gushing sentiment towards the UK royal family.