Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Anyone listening to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on the radio this morning could not but be impressed by the obvious sincerity and sheer tenacity he is displaying when batting for Ireland at present. It is just possible that one reason certain information is not being made publicly available immediately pertains to the type of negotiations that are under way. I believe that Ireland simply does not wish to show its hand until it learns what is on offer. Yesterday morning, I made the point in this House that I genuinely believe it is we ourselves who must solve the problem in the long term. This morning, Senator Fitzgerald put her finger on it 100% when she said that it was not a matter of more money but will be a matter of reform. Senator Norris also made the same point to some extent and I believe this is what must be done. I accept that one milestone will be the budget and another will be the budgetary four-year plan. Members can perceive, since they began to debate the recession, that although initially they found sectional interests coming to the fore, now it is realised that one cannot approach it in that fashion any more. Ireland has a serious problem and all are agreed that this is the case.

One measure that I believe could have been done is that, just as all the parties entered the Department of Finance to look at the books and ascertain Ireland's position, it was possible for all the parties to meet the Government and find out quietly and without huge publicity what exactly is the strategy where Europe is concerned. All accept that if money is available, wherever it comes from, if it is the Government's view, we will have no choice but to accept it.