Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

If we are to solve the problem in our national finances and bring hope and confidence to our people three core ingredients are necessary. The first is the confidence of the people in the process. The people must be with the process and believe in it. To achieve that three things are necessary. First, the people must be told the truth. While yesterday was a step in the right direction it is reprehensible that there has been a tardiness in bringing the truth to the people.

It would not be generous of me not to say that Senator Harris made my second point before but it merits repeating and I have made it in the past. We will have to start by giving an example in the House. Top salaries are being paid in the country. Bonuses will have to go and top salaries will have to be cut. Confidence that the cuts are starting at the top must be instilled in people.

An audit of waste in the country will have to be done. This is the most serious point I wanted to make and I want the Leader to take it on board. If we began an audit of waste - I do not refer to front line services-----