Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I draw the attention of the House to a speech made by Mr. Seán O'Driscoll from Drimoleague in west Cork at a conference of other Irish chief executives. He was stinging in his criticism of politicians but also of business leaders who took their eye off the ball. Mr. O'Driscoll said that our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents built up this country, and he asked if we would be the generation that falls down on the job.

I admire Senator Alex White but I heard his negative talk about the country's position and I was shocked by his extreme emotionalism. I visited Haiti last year and was in Malawi earlier this year. The contrast in the standard of living here compared with the past and what is happening elsewhere is stark. Mr. O'Driscoll is chief executive of Glen Dimplex which employs 12,000 people, 2,000 of whom work in Ireland. He boldly said that we should honour the 1916 Rising and Proclamation by reducing our costs and restoring the country's competitiveness. The cost of doing business on this side of the Border is 35% higher than in the North. How in God's name can companies keep going in those conditions?

Mr. O'Driscoll draws an analogy with the GAA, which he says is the spirit of our country. I totally agree with that. He stated the "pride, passion, vision, talent ... sense of urgency [and] winning" by the GAA and our sporting teams should be what is driving us forward. We must have a spirit of hope. It is our responsibility as politicians to inspire hope in our people rather than seeing them being knocked every day. People are gripped by fear owing to this total nonsense. We will get out of this situation.