Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I make one plea that we have a real discussion in the House; that we have honesty on the figures; that we examine the implications for the taxpayer; that we look at the implications of the Croke Park agreement and the implications for the almost 500,000 who are unemployed, and that we look at where we are going with budgetary strategy. Can we have a real discussion in the House of what is happening with the cutbacks to front-line services? We need to have reality figures, not fantasy figures, which are we are finally beginning to see.

It is hard to believe the Government which was wrong about the bank guarantee, on the cost of the bailout, the measures needed to reassure the bond markets, growth projections and so much else. I ask that this afternoon we begin with a debate on the economy but clearly we need ongoing discussion of the approach to the budget and the real decisions that have to be taken which will have a huge impact on the lives of citizens. The rate of emigration among our young people has increased by 33% year on year. The best and brightest are leaving the country because of the Government's mistakes. It is time to replace it, but in the meantime can we have a real discussion in and proper use of the Houses of the Oireachtas in the decisions we have to make in the lead-up to the budget?