Lisa McDonald (Fianna Fail)

It is my understanding that the Taoiseach indicated yesterday when the general election will be. What has emerged out of recent days is that we all, as politicians, abdicated our responsibilities as leaders in our community. We are all leaders and we need to lead now because, as Senator Healy Eames said, the people are crying out for leadership. We need calmness to get the budget through and then the people will have their say and a new Government will be formed. Fianna Fáil will be held to account for what has happened on our watch and the people will elect a new Government, which will more than likely be formed by Fine Gael and the Labour Party. That they could cobble together a Government in two or three days before Christmas is absolute fantasy and that would not lead to the stability our people badly need.

I dropped my two children to the crèche this morning and I felt sad for all the children in the crèche because we need to give them more. Political reform is required. The system does not work. I did not hear any Member standing up over the past ten to 15 years to say everything was wrong. That debate is required and we will have our say when necessary.

I agree with Senator MacSharry that we should use the last days of this Seanad to discuss properly issues of relevance. The IMF yesterday suggested in its document that we should examine tax breaks for working women to bring women into the workplace. That would be an excellent debate to have in this House and I am calling for it.