Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Many Members will have attended the briefing this morning, at which the Carers Association spoke about the value of the contribution its members make to the economy, namely, €2.5 billion, as listed county by county. This makes me think about the very difficult decisions that will have to be taken in the coming weeks on the budget and the public finances and, in that context, how we will protect our social capital. This is a very important question, one that does not receive much attention. How we support organisations such as the Carers Association is critical. How we can help to develop and support community organisations and a community spirit at this very difficult time is an issue we need to address in the current context. People believe they are being thrown back on their own resources, which is the truth in many cases.

That brings me to the call for national consensus and the current state of play. This morning it is clear that there is no agreement between the Government parties on the need for national consensus. This became clear yesterday from what the Taoiseach said. We are now trying to understand precisely what is on offer from the Government. I want to make it very clear that Fine Gael is engaging with the Department of Finance and accepts the parameters set of needing to reach the figure of 3% by 2014. We accept the degree of adjustment that is needed and that very tough decisions will have to be taken. Of that there is no doubt.

Last year we presented a very detailed budget proposal, outlining how we would approach the difficult decisions. We will be taking a very responsible attitude to the serious decisions that have to be taken by the country. The public want to see leadership and people are worried about their mortgages and whether they will be able to pay them. They are worried about their incomes and how to meet their bills. People are very concerned at the moment at the evident paralysis when it comes to support for mortgage holders, for example, and cutbacks in their income. The country faces a really difficult period in the next few weeks. I asked yesterday how we might best work in this House to begin to reflect some of these public concerns, to talk about the difficult decisions that have to be taken, and to begin to address them.

We on this side of the House are certainly up for that. We want to show leadership because the public is demanding it from the political system. People want to see the political system responding in a very responsible way. They want answers on the key questions facing them, whether they are going to get the type of supports they need, and where the cutbacks will take place. I still say it is not good enough that the Minister for Finance is in the United States talking about cutbacks in social welfare and pensions but not discussing this here. I call for those meaningful debates in this House over the next critical three to four weeks.

I would also like a debate on the national children's hospital because it is unclear where the approximate figure of €200 million that is outstanding will come from. Will the Leader arrange that debate in the House as soon as possible?