Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

With respect to the Cathaoirleach, I ask the Leader to address that question. I ask that question given that we have now discovered the Minister for Finance has been wrong on each occasion. The Department of Finance knew the financial position last June. Why has it taken until now to get information?

I believe Senator Harris found the road to Damascus on this morning's "Morning Ireland" radio programme and has been converted to the need to look after people. It is time we had a debate on the political class and how it can show leadership. I have no difficulty taking the lead, as Fine Gael has done, by taking a pay cut and by looking at the trappings of power for Ministers and Ministers of State and at everything relating to the political class. Let us have a real debate on how the political class, led in the main by the Members opposite, has failed the people. I challenge the Leader to arrange a debate on the political class.