Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I begin by reiterating the request for a debate tomorrow and for the Minister to come to the House. I wish the Minister well today in Brussels. This is about Ireland and about our people. As Senator Harris stated, it is not about a flag or sovereignty; it is about us as people. There must be no capitulation by us as people. We must stand for what we believe in, which is the Irish people and the Irish nation. The Minister has been wrong at every single turn. He has been wrong with every figure he has given. He has been wrong regarding the bank recapitalisation. He has been wrong and he has misled the Irish people and with him has the Government. Let us call a spade a spade.

The Irish people today are absolutely punch drunk. They are afraid, worried, concerned and they want to see leadership. Sadly, it is not coming from our elected Government. It is lacking and missing and this is the reality. The Irish people will rally to the cause if they are given the truth. The Government has lied at every opportunity, including as recently as last Sunday on radio. If it was as simple as abolishing State cars, abolishing the Seanad or bringing captains of industry into government it would be so easy, but it is not. It requires reinventing and reforming government and this is best served by changing the people at the Cabinet table and by changing policies. Above all, we must give the Irish people hope. We must give them an opportunity to dream of tomorrow and that tomorrow will be better than today. This can be done by us in this House and in the Dáil but it requires the Government to be honest. Tell the people the truth, not lies.