Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader give the House a commitment that he will hold a pre-budget debate on the state of the economy next week? Will he indicate, in the light of the economic crisis the country is facing, whether the House will sit next Tuesday? It is important that we recognise that politics is not continuing as usual. As Members of this House, we must play our part by sitting next Tuesday and debating the state of the economy next week. It is welcome that talks took place in Government Buildings yesterday and good that we have all agreed to the 3% figure which we will all strive to achieve. The nation is holding its breath as it await the announcement of the budget in December.

The people are angry, weary and fearful. They want the Government to tell the truth about the exact state of the nation's finances. What is the precise economic position? Every step of the way the predictions of the Minister for Finance, the Taoiseach and the Department of Finance have been wrong. The people want honesty and the truth. I challenge the Leader who represents the Government in this House to give us the answers. If necessary, the Taoiseach should make a state of the nation address on RTE and tell us the way it is. The people are hopeful and resourceful. They want certainty and to be given confidence, but they are not getting these from the representatives of Fianna Fáil, particularly those who sit at the Cabinet table.

There is another and better way. We need a recovery plan predicated on creating jobs and getting people back to work. It should not just be about austerity mesures, slashing and burning. Reform of the political system is also needed. We need to change the way the Government does its business. I, therefore, ask the Leader to arrange a debate on that matter next week also. Those of us who are involved in the political system need to evaluate where we are at in order that we can provide leadership for the people. Although Fine Gael does not have all of the answers, it has vision. In the past 18 months we have developed policies on job creation, reform of the health system, reform of our system of government and reform of the political system.

The ESRI commentary published today, which I welcome, expresses doubt about whether the 3% target can be achieved. Can the Government tell us how much will be cut? What are the growth and unemployment projections? Deputy Kenny was right to say we needed independent verification of the figures. I hope this will happen.

We can all agree that there are no easy options. Not only do the people want honesty, they also want a Government with a mandate. Sadly - for the Leader - the Government has lost its mandate. It is time for a new Government to be given a new mandate to lead the country. I hope this will happen before Christmas.