Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Fitzgerald who stated conditions and wider factors in Ireland are impacting on the bond markets. Loath though I am to state it, at present we have a very poor reputation in Europe. I experienced this at first hand on Tuesday at an OECD meeting during an informal chat with other parliamentarians. It is not good and we have to take responsibility for it. It is about leadership in this country and about the Government. The Government must give leadership that will raise our confidence. The way it flagrantly went in the face of the citizens over recent months and years with regard to the by-elections is being seen exactly for what it is-----