David Norris (Independent)

That is what President Clinton said, because that is where the living heart of public life is. However, people are being put to the pin of their collar while they see fat-cat bankers and other individuals trading on our gullibility.

I wish to say something which my friends in Fianna Fáil have also said. Perhaps some of the Members present will pick up on it. I regularly hear people on television saying we did this and that and that we over-indulged. No, I did not and I know many others who did not. We behaved prudently and decently. However, we are being presented not with our own bills but with those that imprudent, foolish and criminal bankers ran up. They did not run them up in Ireland's name but in the names of their banks. One of the biggest mistakes we made was to give them a guarantee, without even ascertaining its extent. I remember asking at the time how the Government could give a blank cheque and how much was involved. The Government stated it was €440 billion. When I asked how much was the value of our gross national product, it did not know and had to go and make a telephone call. Does that not indicate the incompetence of the Government? I pains me to say I do not have confidence in it and I believe only 13% of the people do.