Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I agree with the overall approach adopted by my colleagues, Senators O'Toole and Donohoe, to the announcement made yesterday by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and the budgetary difficulties facing the Government and the country. I certainly welcome what was announced yesterday. We all wish it happened earlier and that reform had commenced sooner. However, to use a cliché, we are where we are and I hope what the Minister for Health and Children has commenced in her Department will spread to other Departments and that the same level of flexibility and innovation which she is seeking can be entertained throughout the public sector. There is a formula under the Croke Park agreement and it is one my party fully supported from early on. The agreement provides for sensible and manageable reductions in numbers throughout the public sector. Without it happening in the very near future, the country will be declared economically bankrupt.

We have to listen to what the bond markets and financial markets are stating. As late as today, there is not sufficient confidence in economic policy, or perhaps political policy from the Government or even the body politic, and it is virtually impossible now for Ireland to borrow the resources it needs. Last week I pointed out that on 1 January or thereabouts the country would require a borrowing figure of almost €19 billion to allow it to be run and managed next year. Unless the politics and economics are corrected before 1 January, we will not get the money we need. We are almost at the edge of the cliff. Senator Donohoe is correct to state politicians must show realistic leadership. We have a few weeks to turn around the ship of State.