Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

The last week in Irish politics has brought further shame and embarrassment to our political institutions. We have seen very dramatic events since the Seanad last met. We have seen Ministers resign, the Fianna Fáil leader step down, a botched Cabinet reshuffle and the effective end of this coalition Government. It has become clear that we are in the final days of this Oireachtas and we are about to begin a new chapter in political and economic life. Within weeks we will have a new Oireachtas and a new Government. The process of restoring confidence and rebuilding hope in the country can begin.

Everyone in this House will want to see that hope and optimism beginning again, and will want to see this country creating jobs for people and giving them opportunity. That is what matters. We must get the country working again. We must reform and we must ensure there is opportunity for our young people, and the emigration we are seeing, which has been forecast at 100,000 per year, will not continue. Instead, we must rebuild our political institutions and offer hope and opportunity to people.

We in Fine Gael have taken the decision that in the national interest, we should put in place a mechanism that will allow the Finance Bill to be debated and voted upon in the next few days. Can the Leader outline the exact timetable for taking that Bill in the House? I understand it is to be taken on Friday and Saturday. The Government parties have said much about the importance of this Bill. We equally accept that, in terms of Ireland's international reputation and securing funding for the country in the weeks and months ahead, the Finance Bill is a very important part of that process. That does not mean, however, that we agree with every section of the Bill. We do not, but we recognise the importance of rebuilding the country and ensuring the availability of credit in order that we can continue to provide front-line services and, as I stated, bring hope back to the country.