Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

Members learned today that up to €15 billion in adjustments will be needed over the next four budgets - double the hole, double the pain. When will it stop? Where is the outrage? I second the amendment to the Order of Business tabled by Senator Fitzgerald. I again ask the Leader how long was the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, aware of this because it was not just yesterday. What kind of phoney Government does Ireland have? First there was the blanket guarantee, second there was NAMA and now a national consensus is what the Government needs to remain in office for another two years. The Government has let people down at every hand's turn, especially the Minister for Finance because he has got each prediction wrong. I seek the Leader's personal view on the need for an immediate general election because that would provide something honest and truthful. For a start, it would give a good news story to the international market.