Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I regret that the Leader wants to do away with Private Members' business today, during which we were to deal with an important motion. We could have discussed that motion today as well as the four-year strategy. While I am sure the Government side is worried about losing that vote, obviously, the most important issue today is the publication of the four-year plan. It is welcome that we will be discussing what is of most relevance to the country. However, it is with a heavy heart that we will read the plan, as we will see the unravelling of 60 years of progress in this country. We are seeing the pain laid bare that will affect every family, every community and the entire country. Not alone is it being laid bare to this country, it is being done in the full glare of international publicity and humiliation. The Government wrapped the State around the banks and when confronted with the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on the banks, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Lenihan, said that the finding did not jump out at him. We can see the consequences today and every man, woman and child will pay thousands of euro every year to cope with the mistakes of this Government. What is most disturbing is that the Government is still in denial and is still not doing the right thing. The Taoiseach is not resigning and he is not bringing forward the budget as we said he should yesterday. He is still refusing to do what is necessary. The Green Party can play a role if it wants to be constructive. That party can ensure the budget and the Finance Bill are brought forward and enacted quickly. That has been requested by every European commentator of note. It is clearly necessary to calm the markets and provide some stability not just to Ireland but also to the eurozone. The Government is still refusing to do what is necessary. I ask that the Taoiseach, his Ministers and the Green Party do what is right and what is necessary for the country, what everyone is saying is necessary. Bring the budget in now, deal with the Finance Bill now, and stop this prevarication over the next few weeks. The situation for the banks is critical and every commentator is saying the delay is costing a fortune. It is making it increasingly difficult to bail out this country, to save the banks and to get the economy working. The Government should do the right thing in respect of the process of this budget.