Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I commend Senator Twomey on his magnanimous contribution. He was brief and to the point and set a tone from which we could all learn. The resilience and generosity of the people have come to the fore once again in these challenging weather conditions. It is inspiring to see people helping each other, getting out to push a car, clearing snow, delivering groceries and so on. These people are providing leadership and we should respond by providing leadership here. It is very easy to go through a clinical analysis of the current economic crisis, but we must still depend on the spirit of the people. As we approach Christmas, the difficulties people face will suppress that spirit. Those of us who are secure financially should remain generous towards charities and should find ways of helping people. If we set that tone over Christmas, we can build on it for the other difficulties we face.

I appeal in particular to the media and urge it to adopt a positive attitude over the next few weeks. It has the power to support this spirit. Building the spirit of the people is not headline news but it is the fuel the engine will require to get over the huge challenges we face. We should try to build on what Senator Twomey described, reflect on it and try to be generous in our comments, even for the few weeks leading up to Christmas. If we return to the cut and thrust of politics again after Christmas, so be it. We all share the same feeling and it is only a question of somebody giving leadership in that regard.