Fiona O'Malley (Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion, particularly in the light of the amendment tabled to it. The motion provides the House with an opportunity to unite behind our export success story, but, unfortunately, the Opposition has not responded to it. The amendment condemns the Government for not being competitive enough. I find that deeply hypocritical, given that we have listened to bellyaching from Opposition Members about the necessity to make Ireland more competitive and reduce the national minimum wage. We have the absolute opposite in terms of a condemnation of the Government for our loss of competitiveness. If Opposition Members are honoured by being elected to govern, they will quickly learn they will have to be consistent and coherent. I also advise them not to be hypocritical.