Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Irish people have got the truth more from YouTube, European commentators and Ministers than they have from their own Irish Ministers. This lack of levelling with the people and coming out and calling it as it is an absolute disgrace. We have seen this denial in this House for months on end in regard to banking and the general fiscal situation. We heard figures just last week that have turned out to be completely inaccurate. It is clear from what everyone is saying that Frankfurt, Brussels and Washington representatives will arrive in next few days and there will be a bailout within the next few days. Severe conditions will be imposed on Irish citizens and taxpayers. That is the situation at which we have arrived.

I want to make a point in regard to it, and Fintan O'Toole made this point in an interesting article in The Irish Times yesterday when he said that more money without reform will not solve the long-term problems of this country.