By way of introduction, I refer to the Taoiseach's comment yesterday arising from the results of the local and European elections that Sinn Féin was the winner of the elections. The Fine Gael Party now has the highest number of Members of the European Parliament. The local election results, when compared with the general election results of two years ago, show a 5% increase in Fine Gael support, with Independents gaining 2% and Sinn Féin 1.5%, while the Fianna Fáil Party lost almost 10%.
The Taoiseach and his Ministers have stated that the Fianna Fáil Party will reflect upon the consequences of the elections, listen to the people and take into account the verdict handed down. Does the Taoiseach not accept that the results of the European and local elections amount to a devastating indictment of his Government? The perception which came across clearly to Opposition parties was that the Government is out of touch, has grown too comfortable, arrogant and removed from the people in office and that its decisions are based on looking after itself and its supporters rather than dealing with the concerns, anger and frustration of ordinary people. In view of the devastating loss to his party and the fact that Deputies from his party are arguing for the Minister of Finance to be got rid of and the purse strings released for more spending, does the Taoiseach not accept that the consequence of yesterday's results amounts to a serious loss of confidence in his Government and in him? What does he propose to do about it?