Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome Senator Darragh O'Brien and wish him well in his term in the House. I also congratulate the 14 Members of the Seanad who have been elected to the Dáil, as well as Senator Prendergast on her elevation to membership of the European Parliament.

Senator Harris hit the nail on the head when he said it would be a difficult period for the new Government. It will have difficult decisions to make, but I have no doubt it will make those hard decisions because it will have no choice. There are parameters set by the IMF and in our banking policy within which the new Government will have to work. I hope it will state the buck has to stop some place because in the last ten years it did not stop anywhere in any Department, semi-State body or quango. No one in any place took responsibility. I hope the new Government will act on this. With power there is responsibility. I hope someone will take responsibility wand that the buck will stop somewhere.