Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to the House. Nothing focuses the mind like having served on both sides of the House and what one had to say at any given time. I will not concentrate on what Government Members said when on this side of the House, rather I will concentrate on what I said when on the opposite side. Each Member of the House makes an effort to be reasoned, in particular when in the national good. This was evident in a number of the contributions made already today. While the cut and thrust of politics is necessary to energise us, we are all in learning mode, in particular when it comes to the economy. When the recession hit, it hit so quickly it stunned everyone. In the initial stages there was huge denial, not alone on the part of public figures but by people, about what was happening. Gradually we are coming to an area of reality and from that reality I hope we will come forward with pragmatic policies out of which, particularly from those which work and are visible, will come confidence.

Looking at the television and seeing the Taoiseach in the United States if one is Irish one must feel good about it. One wonders how a small country such as Ireland enjoys such a reputation. The reason I make these points is because sometimes when we count our assets we think only of euro whereas the other assets we have are the very ones which may increase confidence and investment and give people a sense there is much to be done at present and that everybody must put their shoulder to the wheel.

In my case I paid the household charge last week. As I stated in the House already, I could not help but think about those who cannot pay it. I had a cheque-book and I thought of those who do not. I thought of those who cannot find €10 and yet have dignity. I also thought about genuine people who lost so much in buying shares which became worthless. I am not speaking about the big people; I am talking about those who received a redundancy package at a certain age who wanted to top up their pensions. Most of them are bearing this quietly. There is definitely anger, but this anger is gradually changing to questioning, which is precisely what we are doing today. We are looking at the policies we have and whether they are succeeding.

The household charge has been badly handled. I will not argue for or against it, that debate is for another day, but it has been badly handled. There is much confusion which need not exist. There was a methodology with regard to those who could not afford the €100 but this message is not going out. As a result we are refuelling an anger that need never have been refuelled at a time when things were going the right way. If I were to make any appeal on this issue it would be, in the interests of the country, for the Minister not to make threats. A few days remain before the end of March and it does not work like that with the Irish, being who they are and with their tenacity of character and history. Ban something or make a threat and one will find the Irish will go the other way. I will not lecture a good Minister but he would be wise to back off a little from the type of threat he is making.

I do not know how many people will be involved but let us say it will be 50%. If penalties are added on to the €100 does anybody believe even the penalties will be paid? We are trying to convince a huge body of people that the country is getting back on its feet, which I believe it is and we have a new sense of confidence. I remember the time of the tax on shoes with Jim Kemmy, God be good to him. It was a small issue but it brought down a Government. I do not want to revisit this.

We must get the environment right and provide positive leadership. What are the yardsticks for progress at present? The first is jobs as if one does not have a job one has a problem. The second is one's home if one cannot pay one's mortgage and one's roof is being threatened.

We had great announcements at the beginning of the year from the IDA which were probably exceptional for the first two months of the year. We have hidden assets, and I am not speaking about oil or gas. I am speaking about tourism. It might not seem as tangible as the wonderful exports we have at present, but anything that feeds into the tourism industry should become a priority because tourism spreads throughout the entire country.

The Government needs to get it right on the household tax, not because of the €100 but because of morale. It is also important to focus on the main issues of jobs and houses. While we may need to have the cut and thrust of debate and criticise policy, 70% of our commitment should be partnership and working together.