Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Ba mhaith liom i dtosach mo bhuíochas a ghabháil don Seanadóir O'Malley as ucht seans a thabhairt dom labhairt inniu.

We heard about the look on the faces on the Front Bench in the Dáil when it was discussing one of the most serious issues facing the country. That type of comment typifies some of the debate in recent times. When there was no recession, if the camera had picked out some of the faces in this House, I doubt that they would have made the cover of Hello magazine. However, is that what democracy is about, making comments about facial expressions and body language? I would like to think we take this issue far more seriously.

I compliment Senator Ross. He made an important contribution to financial probity in this country, for which he deserves credit. Likewise, Senator O'Toole made a major contribution to industrial peace in the country. The proposer and seconder of the motion are a fine mix of capitalism and socialism.

To return to the comment made on the Front Bench in the Dáil, I wish to comment on the Taoiseach. We have the right leader at the right time. Anybody who has watched the Taoiseach will have seen the manner in which he has absorbed not the criticism about policy but the personal abuse directed at him from the first hours he took office, even before the recession. One of the reasons such personal abuse was directed towards him was that he was not prepared to champion perception as opposed to reality. He was not prepared to play the cosmetic game which the media appeared to require from him. I say that in defence not just of the Taoiseach who is an astute and intelligent man and an honourable patriot but also on behalf of any other leader who might emerge from any other party in the future. It is important for the body politic not to take succour from the personal abuse meted out to the leader of the country.

A time will come when a motion will be tabled in this House to express confidence in the people, their spirit, nationalism and tenacity, to overcome these difficulties. I feel the motion, possibly put down with the right intention, may be tinged just a little with political expediency. I believe it is the product of a negative environment that is prevailing at the present time.

When this debate is over and the vote has taken place, I hope the Leader will do all in his power to give us the opportunity to have a realistic, positive and patriotic debate on the future of this country. The people outside who are angry, worried, are suffering and feel threatened-----