Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

I agree with my colleagues who called for a debate on the need for reform of our institutions, particularly in the context of the Croke Park agreement.

I am struck by the tone of this morning's discussion and how grim it is. However, as I came to Leinster House this morning, people were having their breakfast before going to work, while children were going to school. The vast majority must continue their lives as normal and find a way to get through this period. Our duty to them is clear. In discharging that duty one thing is hugely important. There is a need for more honesty and clarity. The mist from the political debate regarding lies and evasion will clear and when it does, we will find that the challenges facing the State are different in nature and greater in scale.

I have three questions for the Leader. First, will he ensure honesty by saying that what we are talking about is not a bailout but a loan that will have to be repaid? It will be the job of the next Government to ensure this is done and done quickly. Second, we need to be honest with the people. What is happening or what could happen is not or would not be the worst outcome for the State. The worst outcome would be to enter a period during which we would receive support from other bodies and fail to make it work, where the support given to us did not lead to the reform that, as Senator Fitzgerald said, was essential for the security of the State. Third, when a deal is done, let us not say it is a bailout for the banks. The tragedy is that the Government has fused the sovereign and the speculator together. They are now one and the same. The European Commission and the International Monetary Fund do not give support to banks but to countries. Let us recognise that in what we do and in the decisions we take in the coming days.