Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I wondered where was Deputy Burton's sense of pride and duty in sending out that type of message to the international press. The Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, has always put the country first. He has never lost faith in our ability to come through this crisis. The Taoiseach and this Government have never given up or given in to populism or anger, although they understand the anger. Senator Buttimer is correct that this is all about people but anger is not a policy. The Government got more right than it got wrong. I am sick, sore and tired of hearing the Taoiseach being asked if he is going to apologise. There is nothing being said about his trying to fix the country; its all about when is he going to apologise, which is being driven by the media. I have heard the Taoiseach apologise on more than one occasion. I have heard him say that the Government got more right than it got wrong.

Mention was made earlier of the Labour Party, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael manifestos of 2007. One would have to put a fine tooth comb through each to find a difference between them. We all got it wrong in 2007.