Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I speak in support the motion tabled by the Fianna Fáil group. I listened to the responses of Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Paul Keogh. Some of his responses to the debate were disgraceful. He did not speak to the motion or appear to understand what we are about this evening. We simply ask the Government to clarify its position regarding the Army barracks. This issue is being played out in the media through leaks, rumour and innuendo.

The Government has the audacity to table an amendment to a well thought out motion tabled by the Fianna Fáil group. The amendment refers to the previous Government's "carelessness and complacency in managing the economy". The Government will be able to get away with this line of argument for only so long. Fine Gael and Labour now form the Government. They stood for election on a programme for Government and pre-election promises most of which are already broken.