Shane Ross (Independent)

I trust that was not deliberate. The Minister's speech is a document of shameful surrender. When I hold it up before the House I regard it as a white flag from the Government, which comes to the Seanad having been in the Dáil. It represents the Government's capitulation to Europe and the IMF and it sums up the situation in which the Government leaves the country. It represents an appalling legacy for the Government to leave the nation cap-in-hand to the IMF and Europe. This document is not a speech written by the Government or its civil servants. This speech was written and dictated by Europe and by people outside this State. This is the reality.

When the Minister refers euphemistically to what he terms the "external assistance programme", he is referring coyly to a surrender because the external assistance programme is dictating the economic future of the country and the detail of what is contained in the Finance Bill under discussion today. It is a shameful and humiliating document to read when put in this light. Even this Government, with its compelling spin, cannot suggest is a great triumph for the Fianna Fáil and Green parties.

This does not mean we believe the change of Government likely to take place in the coming weeks will be any better. When I read what Fine Gael and the Labour Party state in respect of the economy and other matters, sometimes I agree with their aspirations. However, I do not believe that they will be any better. There is general acceptance among the Opposition parties of this document and I question whether we will get any change or difference and whether there will be any difference in fundamental thinking when the change of Government takes place. Whereas this document is shameful as are the figures it contains, they are accepted. The fundamental premise is accepted by both of the main parties in Opposition in this House. The fundamental €86 billion figure is accepted as are the distribution and allocation between the IMF and Europe.

The Opposition people here and the spokesmen for these parties in both Houses are referring only to tinkering around the edges. It may be better or worse but the real question is never asked. Senator Mansergh has upbraided-----