Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Nov 2010

Vol. 205 No. 15

Order of Business

The Order of Business is No. 1, Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008 — Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business, on which spokespersons may speak for 12 minutes and all other Senators for eight minutes and Senators may share time, by agreement of the House.

This is a very difficult time for the country on every level — political, fiscal and international. More than 6,000 articles probably an underestimate have been written about the country and the situation we are in, and the relationship between what happens here and what will happen to the euro. This is an extraordinarily serious time. We finally heard the truth on Sunday that the IMF, the EU and the ECB would provide the sort of funding the country unfortunately needs as a result of extraordinarily reckless decision making in government in recent years. This has been a traumatic week for the Irish electorate and people are very concerned about the safety of the currency, about their savings and deposits and about where we are going. That is understandable. People are asking many questions and there is a responsibility on the political establishment to provide the best leadership we can at this point. We must answer the questions of what is in the country's best interests and what it is to stand by the Republic now. What do we do? What is in the best interests of thecountry?

The Green Party said that people felt misled and betrayed by the Government. It is unprecedented for a Minister to say that and not to resign. The Green Party is to continue, claiming that it creates certainty, but it created the most extraordinary political uncertainty we have seen in many months. There is extraordinary political uncertainty and instability as a result of the Green Party's actions, quite the opposite of what Green Party Members said they intended. We can see that in the markets, across the eurozone, the articles being written and all the responses.

We are in a most difficult position. Fine Gael would like to see a general election. To ask the new Government to implement a budget and a four-year strategy brought in by this discredited Government is a lot to ask. The budget should be introduced early and we should change the way we do business here. We should implement the recommendations on reform of the budgetary process about which Fine Gael has spoken and we should be given much more detail about the memorandum of understanding that will be agreed between the IMF and the Government. It cannot just be talk; we need information which must be available to everyone. We need to change the way we do business when it comes to the budget. We cannot just do what we have always done. Fine Gael will stand by the Republic and do the right thing, but what the public want is a change of Government.

Senators

Hear, hear.

I am heartened to hear the words of Senator Fitzgerald. At a time of economic, civic and political turmoil and instability, we are standing on the edge of a financial abyss. I agree with the Taoiseach's point of view that we need to pass a budget, publish a four-year plan and get through the wedge of financial activity that must be engaged in in the next two months. It is a lot to ask of Fine Gael and the Labour Party, but let us recognise that our future is in their hands and they could bring down the Government should they wish to do so. What Senator Fitzgerald said is correct: in the interests of the country, we need to move forward with the budgetary process. The budget should go through. In this regard, the Taoiseach has a responsibility not just to lift the telephone and contact the leaders of the Opposition parties but also to open the books in a completely open and trusting manner and allow the other parties to see what is happening and engage with the process in order that at least there will be no surprises on budget day. Once the budget has been passed and the four-year plan published, we will at least be moving forward.

Having done a deal last week with the IMF and the European authorities, we need to make it work. Our immediate economic future is tied to that agreement and I do not want to see it corrupted or perverted by a delay in passing the budget. I support the proposal of Fine Gael that the budget be introduced early, if that can be done — the sooner the better. We must recognise the challenge to Fine Gael and the Labour Party. The Government should appreciate and acknowledge the fact that if the budget is passed, it will be thanks to the Opposition parties. I ask that Members on the Opposition side do not allow their judgment to be impaired by the attraction of the prospect of succeeding to high office very soon. We have only a month or two at most to wait. We should get through the next couple of weeks and then get on with things. I am worried about the consequences for the economic future of the country were we to delay or defeat the budget at this time.

We have a caretaker Government, a significant portion of which has essentially handed in its notice and is operating on the basis that the Dáil and Seanad will be dissolved early in the new year, although how early is not clear. We know the Finance Bill was enacted on 3 April this year. Does the Leader or the Deputy Leader have any view on what was meant by the reference to financial measures? It could take us until April to deal with all of the financial measures.

On the comments made by Senator O'Toole, it is a matter for the Government to introduce and pass the budget. The Constitution is clear on the issue. In circumstances in which we have only a caretaker Government it is not reasonable or appropriate to suggest the Opposition parties should act as some kind of surrogate Government when it comes to the single most important job of a Government, which is to introduce a budget.

There is much talk about whether an election would constitute a distraction. I take offence at the notion that consulting the people would be inappropriate. How could consulting them at this grave time be a distraction? I believe in parliamentary democracy in which people are given a mandate to make decisions. They do not consult because the system does not allow them to consult at every hand's turn for everything done in Parliament; it is necessary to repose trust in parliamentarians. However, at a time as grave as this for all the reasons my colleagues mentioned, was it ever more necessary, appropriate and desirable that the people be consulted on what should be done?

I constantly say the Government does not have a mandate to do what it is doing, but the Opposition does not have a mandate any more than the Government does to introduce proposed budgetary measures. Senator O'Toole says the budget should be put through, but it is not an undifferentiated thing as if we just had a quick vote on it. It will include measures that will affect ordinary citizens, including cuts in welfare and other changes. It is not just a question of getting over the line; it will include a host of measures that will need to be considered and which will affect ordinary citizens. In a sense, they are the ones who should be in the driving seat, not on every individual measure, but at a time as grave as this, what is the problem? I know people are concerned about delay and I do not underestimate the gravity of the international situation and the implications of a delay, as others mentioned. I do not believe a delay would be particularly desirable, but when everything is balanced and knowing that there will be difficulties for whatever Government is in place in coming weeks and, by extension, the country, it is vital that the people who elect Members to the other House, which needs to make a decision on the budget, be consulted at this time.

When we talk about international concerns about events happening in this country, both economically and politically, we should consider the wider aspect of what is being said and by whom it is being said. An article yesterday in Frankfurter Allgemeine pointed out that German banks had been colluding in the casino that had been the Irish banking system for a number of years and that they too bore a responsibility for the losses incurred. The maelstrom of economic uncertainty is as much an international and particularly a European problem as it is an Irish one. As we face up to the difficulties of the decisions that need to be made, there is also a need for the entire political system, not only the Government but also Opposition parties and those who aspire to being in government, to face up to challenges posed by forces outside the country which would undermine our economic future. This is not just about political mistakes, it is also about wider issues. We cannot be informed of decisions not in our best economic interests.

My party has taken action after long consideration. We consider it a renegotiation of the programme for Government in terms of what we have agreed, but we have now put a time limit upon it. This is a Government with a finite existence based on passing the most important elements left in its life — the finance Bill, a four-year programme and negotiations with bodies such as the IMF, the European Commission and the European Central Bank. However, we know there is also a responsibility for all those involved in the political system to engage in the process, as has been done in other countries. I cite Portugal as a particular example. How the Government finishes its term of office and how a subsequent Government will commence a new term of office will be determined by the events of the next few months. I ask all Members of this and the other House to concentrate on this task because the immediate economic future of the country is at stake.

We are at a crossroads in our history and people are naturally concerned about our currency and the banks. I say to Senator Boyle that, perhaps, contrary to the intention, his party's action spooked the international markets.

That is not a fact.

That was the net result. We cannot live and trade without a functioning banking system. What happened yesterday increased the urgency of getting agreement on the package, the loan facility the country so desperately needs. I hope much of the €80 billion or €90 billion will be seen as a standby facility that we will not need to draw down. However, because of what the Green Party did yesterday, perhaps quite an amount of it might have to be drawn down because the health of the eurozone's banking system has now been put at risk. That is the truth. Look at what is happening. Having a mandate is now important. As the leader of Fine Gael will probably be the next Taoiseach——

He is not there yet.

——the Opposition parties must be consulted on that package. They must be involved in the talks with the European Commission, the ECB and the IMF because, please God, they will shortly have a mandate to govern sensibly for the people in the next four or five years. Nevertheless, yesterday was a sad day.

When Mr. Pat Cox addressed this Chamber, he spoke about the light that was the European Union and said part of that light was the European currency. The actions of one of the Government parties in the last couple of days has put the euro in a destabilising position. It is the function of the Government to provide stability. Unfortunately, the coalition partner, the Green Party, has reneged on its responsibility. It is easier for me to say this because, thankfully, I am from a family which has no Civil War baggage, but I hope Fine Gael will act responsibly, as it did when we underpinned the banks two years ago.

We did it not to save the banks but to save the economy. If we had not saved the banks at the time, bank doors could have closed, ATMs would have stopped working, salaries would not have been paid and the economy would have been seriously damaged. We collectively took decisions at the time. I have no doubt the public will shortly have its say. I hope the Opposition will rise to the challenge and support the budget that will be introduced this day two weeks.

Mr. Rehn has clearly indicated that the agreement is contingent on certainty flowing from the passing of the budget. For that reason it is very important that it is passed. That will provide us with certain opportunities, for example, to fling off some of the parasites of the political body in the Lower House. I refer to people who pose as Independents but who are, in fact, very happy to sell the interests of their country for small parochial advantage. We would be better off without them.

Senator Boyle referred to the interest in our difficulties of some of the international banks. A bank which I indicted in this House in a matter raised on the Adjournment which was taken up subsequently by the Allgemeine Zeitung is on the list of senior bondholders and has been using three of its subsidiaries, including an Austrian bank which stands indicted of moneylaundering for the mafia, to hoover up the money of the Irish taxpayer. It is very important that we review the situation. I placed a number of original suggestions before the House which were all ignored. I will now place before it a second-hand one, although it might also be ignored. I was impressed by what Mr. David McWilliams wrote in the Sunday newspapers in which he suggested it was not too late to convert the senior bondholders into shareholders of the banks and, therefore, save some money for the taxpayer. I hope this might happen.

I also hope there will be reasonably temperate language from politicians and commentators who seem to want to exacerbate the situation on the airwaves and in the newspapers. I listened with interest this morning to a number of Government supporters being interviewed on radio. One of them said the Taoiseach and his Government had led us in this very difficult situation. The preposition was wrong — the Taoiseach and his Government have led us into this situation. However, it is not an opportunity for all of us to score partisan political points. We have to recognise he made decisions in what he thought at the time were the best interest. There is no doubt, however, that there is responsibility there.

I am sure it was well intentioned but another person said that this was a time when we all as politicians should put the interests of the country before the interests of the party. Surely, for God's sake, that is what we should do all the time. That is what I have done for the past 25 years in this House. It is essential that as a matter of course and routine we put the interests of the country above the interests of the party and learn we are here to serve the people. The people never needed it more.

I thank the Senator. I call on Senator O'Malley.

They have never needed more than they do now the reassurance of decency, integrity and standards in public life.

I agree with Senator Fitzgerald that the conduct of the Green Party yesterday deciding not to support the Government has only destabilised a very fragile situation. Whatever about looking after their party members' interests, the two Green Party Ministers hold two constitutional offices and have a duty to uphold some level of loyalty and integrity to their Government colleagues, in particular the Taoiseach. As the markets have shown, the Green Party's conduct has destabilised the situation for the country rather than having any other effect, and it is deeply regrettable.

Regarding the budget and the general election we will be having, of course people need to have their say on what will happen next and they will have that opportunity. It is very important, however, that all Members of the Oireachtas agree on the four-year plan.

We also need to be careful about people's expectations. The people will have their opportunity to cast judgment on all politicians and their conduct. We do not need people's expectations to be whipped up. We are entering into a new period in politics. The last thing we need to do is to mislead people into thinking things can be otherwise. That is why most parties are agreed on the necessity to pass the four-year plan and a strategy for the International Monetary Fund, IMF. A commentator said last night the people deserve a choice. They have a choice between those who believe in the IMF, the four-year plan and the targets as highlighted and those who do not — the Labour Party and Sinn Féin.

The Senator's time is up.

That is false.

After the next general election, we need a Government that will be economically coherent. It will be incoherent, however, if we get Fine Gael and the Labour Party in power. That is why I want to see Civil War politics finally put to bed and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to form the new Government.

With a Fine Gael majority.

Since last Sunday's announcement and confirmation of the bailout, I have felt a great sense of shame for our country. I also felt physically sick at where our country has ended up. This generation cannot be proud of its legacy or the mess we have left for the next generation to clean up. The Government should apologise to the people for where we are.

We are at a serious juncture in our history regarding the EU-IMF bailout. That is following a week in which we heard successive Ministers lie to the people. They were in denial first and then they lied. They have betrayed this country by their actions over the past week. Their trust and credibility are in question and, by extension, the Government is now in question. People are afraid for the country's and their children's future.

There is great instability. I do not believe the Green Party intended to destabilise the economy. The net effect of its actions yesterday, however, achieved that internationally.

The bailout is necessary and parties that say otherwise are living in cloud-cuckoo-land. It may be difficult for us to understand, believe and accept that the bailout is necessary, but we must acknowledge that our banks could not function without it.

The old way of politics is no longer working. It has failed the people and the country. We are now staring into the abyss. Politicians of all parties must take their responsibilities seriously. It will be a challenge to the political system, but I ask the Leader's party to use its influence to bring the budget forward to an earlier date. Let us have full transparency about the budget and debate it as mature parliamentarians.

The Opposition will more than likely be expected to implement the four-year plan referred to by previous speakers. If we are to do so, it is essential that the Opposition be a party to the memorandum of agreement on the negotiations with the EU and the IMF. As we are at the edge of the precipice, we need new politics and new leadership.

Members of the House sometimes become too embroiled in the politics of issues which are outside the remit of the House and can thereby lose sight of the real issues into which we can have a meaningful input. We may throw caution to the wind to score political points. We must ensure we always apply fairness and fair procedures. There is great talk of our nation's finances, the IMF, the ECB and billions of euro. That macro picture will be addressed by those with responsibility.

As we approach budget day, I ask the Leader to ensure fairness is applied, especially to the less well-off in our society who are in need of support. He should also ensure we remain focused on people in need. The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's emergency helpline has seen a massive increase in the number of telephone calls to 720,000 so far this year. They have been focused mainly on abuse and welfare issues. At the same time, cases dealt with by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul have risen by 50%. Other groups working in this area have also experienced increases of a similar magnitude. I ask the Leader, therefore, to maintain our focus on relevant issues and to give a commitment to ensure children and groups such as the ISPCC and the SVP remain on the agenda as budget day approaches.

I find it interesting to hear Independent Members on the Government benches criticising the Green Party for eventually finding a bit of backbone. We heard Senator O'Malley blaming them and we also heard from Senator Hanafin who I believe is still an Independent. He may have regained the Whip, although I am not sure. Perhaps the Leader can clarify that matter. If they are seeking someone to blame for the mess we are in, they need look no further than the Government benches.

I will not accept criticism of my party's unwillingness to agree to a four-year plan. We have said quite clearly that we will sign up to reaching a 3% debt-to-GDP between now and 2014. That is on the record and everyone in this House knows that. We believe, however, that a mandate is required for that plan, which is why we want to see a general election as soon as possible.

As the final days of the 23rd Seanad draw near, I am sure the Leader is still thinking about organising business for the coming weeks until the Christmas recess. We do not know, however, how long it will be before the plug is finally pulled on the Government. Nonetheless, it may be possible to pass some legislation without too much disagreement, such as the legislation on climate change and management companies. Those Bills are not too far from making it on to the Statute Book. Everyone would benefit from them, so there may be some room to progress those Bills. Perhaps the Leader could also find time next week for us to debate overseas aid. There is good work the House can do. I recognise we will not get around to dealing with the issue of Seanad reform which we all thought we would see in the course of this Seanad. We will not see legislation on matters such as the mayoral elections which is unfortunate because there were many months in this House when we dealt with little or no legislation. The failure to legislate is that of the Leader. Some work can be done before the House is dissolved. I ask the Leader to make that request in the coming weeks.

In the past few days with other colleagues on this side of the House I was in the Isle of Man to attend the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. Solace was to be gained in this frightening time for the country when we were addressed by the President of the Nordic Council who was Icelandic. He spoke about the terrible time Iceland had endured before the IMF went in and about the good times it was entering. He told us there was a good life after the IMF. We also heard this from our British counterparts who talked about the time when the IMF went into Britain in the 1970s and it did not fall apart. We were told there were calm heads and nerves of steel. What I am hearing from the Opposition this afternoon does not indicate there will be cool heads and nerves of steel. I am sorry we will not have this. I will not play party politics, although I know Members expect me to do so because I normally do.

The Senator is good at it.

I will not play party politics.

On Monday I had breakfast with a senior member of the Fine Gael Party before any of this started to fall apart.

The Senator should put questions to the Leader. We are not worried about who she had breakfast with.

That senior member of the Fine Gael said to me that a date should be set for the budget and that Fine Gael would abstain on it.

That is rubbish.

It is not. I would not come in——

We are on the Order of Business to which Senator Feeney's comments are not relevant.

I would not say something in this House as clearly as that if it was not fact.

It is a three card trick.

Senator Feeney should name the person in question.

Fine Gael should not think it is blinding people because it is doing no such thing. It should be honest with the people. This is far too serious an issue for people to play party politics.

We will take no lectures on honesty.

Yesterday the Green Party added turmoil, uncertainty and instability not just to the political system but also to the lives of the people. Senator Coghlan is correct in pointing out that the markets reacted to this. I ask the Leader to join me in calling on Green Party Ministers to do the honourable thing and resign. Otherwise, the Taoiseach should take their seals of office from them and let them walk away from government.

What does "stand by the Republic" mean? What does it mean to stand by the people? It means getting Fianna Fáil out of government. That is what the people want above all else. They want the budget to be passed; they want the uncertainty removed and a revolution in how the Government operates. However, they will not get it following the actions of the Green Party yesterday and the rhetoric today of Senator Feeney and others who play tribal, partisan politics. The reality——

Questions to the Leader, please. Senator Buttimer's comments are not relevant to the Order of Business.

I know Senator Feeney is embarrassed.

I am not one bit embarrassed. It is the old rhetoric from Senator Buttimer that embarrasses people.

I ask the Leader to use his good offices and ask the Taoiseach to bring forward the budget, given that the four-year strategy is being published tomorrow. As Senators Fitzgerald and Coffey said, we should have the leaders of the two main Opposition parties in Dáil Éireann as parties to the memorandum of agreement. The people are tired and fed up and want change.

They are tired listening to the likes of Senator Buttimer.

Change is coming.

I am weary with the rhetoric from all sides.

What about the rhetoric from Senator Ormonde's own side?

Please. No interruptions, please.

What about Senator Ormonde's own side?

Senator Buttimer should please not interrupt.

It is the Government that is causing the mess.

Senator Buttimer should not interrupt or he will be asked to leave the Chamber.

On what grounds? The Government has the country ruined.

The Senator will be asked to leave for interrupting. No Member is allowed to interrupt.

The Government has the country ruined.

Senator Buttimer should please respect the Chair and this House.

We are at a political crossroads. Let there be no doubt about that. There will be a redrawing of the political landscape. That is coming regardless of whether we like it. I do not know how things are going to shape up but change is coming loud and clear in terms of the future of all our parties. The public is looking for change. I am not saying we are not the brightest or that any other party is the brightest either. Let us not take solace in anything in the House today. All I can say is that I am sick to death of the kind of politics we have been playing in this Chamber. I want to be elected to discuss issues. I was never interested in political assassination. I was never interested in personality politics and I never will be.

Senator Ormonde should ask a question of the Leader.

That is the bottom line. I do not want anyone to do it to me either.

We are on the Order of Business. I invite questions to the Leader.

I want issues to be discussed in the House. I support Senator Hannigan who called for a debate on overseas aid. I do not know where we are going with it, but this country has been good in that regard in bad times. Perhaps we should try to keep up the momentum in Irish Aid. After that I wish to discuss issues if we can get down to whatever is left. Let us cut out the personality assassinations.

The great Wesleyan preacher, John Wesley, used to say when he came into a room full of different Christian denominations arguing with each other, "Come, brothers, let us reason together." Senator Fitzgerald has shown us how to reason together in this Chamber today. The situation is pretty simple. We — some of us anyway, bankers and politicians — got ourselves into a mess, but if one's house goes on fire and a neighbour comes in, helps one out of bed and rescues one, one does not turn around and recriminate with that neighbour on the grounds that he or she loaned the money for the cigarettes in the first place, as we are hearing around Europe these days. I ask the Leader to convey to our fellow parliamentarians in Germany, Great Britain, and Sweden, our thanks for the help they have offered in our hour of need. We should stop being graceless people with no gratitude.

Even during the Civil War ambulances were not fired on. We are sent here to serve the people. Authority is a service to the people. Since the ambulances and the Red Cross have come, we have spent half of our time giving out about them and turning on them, and half the time fighting each other and carrying on the Civil War rather than stopping the hostilities for a while, as Tom Johnson did. I was depressed by the contributions of the Labour Party Members today. Of course, they are technically correct. Of course, it would be ideal to have a general election but politics, like New Zealand rugby, is a total business if seen in context. The total context is there will not be a general election before Christmas. If there are further recriminations, the markets will be disrupted. We will have a terrible image internationally. We should stand shoulder to shoulder together and put up with it as best we can. There is no point in arguing on the decks of the Titanic. Perhaps Senator Alex White is correct and his party was right to say they should not have taken that particular route in the Titanic but now that the ship is going down they have different kinds of obligations, namely, to save people and do the best they can. The best we can do in this situation is to stop fighting with each other for a few weeks.

Senator Alex White will be in power soon enough, as will Senator Buttimer and others. In the meantime we desperately need to calm the international markets, do something about our image and stop fighting among ourselves. We are not sovereign people anymore. We are like county councillors. The money belongs to the county manager, the IMF, the EU and the ECB. The county manager is in charge now. What is the point in us going around pontificating and pomping around the place saying that above all we must have an election and we must have party politics? We are like children in a nursery, hurling bricks at one another while the school teacher stands at the door in despair. Please, brothers and sisters, let us reason together.

It merits repeating once more that the country is in grave difficulty and that people are genuinely anxious and afraid. Taking Senator Harris's metaphor of firing on ambulances, it is important that an Opposition party identify and echo people's concern as to why those ambulances are present. They are present because of cosy cartels and successive years of mismanagement by Fianna Fáil Governments. The country was badly run. The IMF's arrival is an extraordinarily serious matter.

I am looking for questions. Unfortunately, everyone is making a speech.

It also merits repeating that the people need an immediate election. Yesterday, the Taoiseach should have put the negotiations on hold, arranged to delay the budget and called an election in the minimal constitutional period. This is what the people want. The public wants a new source of hope and people who are responsible and were at a remove from those who were running the country. They want people who were not part of the problem to address it. We need an immediate election.

Given our circumstances, there was no other way. We missed yesterday's opportunity, so we must look to bringing the negotiations and budgetary process forward and to having an immediate election to bring stability and clarity to the situation. Nothing short of that will do. It would be helpful if, before Saturday's march, senior members of the Government apologised to the people for what has occurred. Doing so would help to defuse the march.

I was struck by the attitudes of some Members of the Opposition. It is time they started behaving like a Government because they will be in government in a short period. It is time that everyone present considered the extraordinary dangers of defeating the budget. Today is not the right time to discuss blame. There will be and there has been plenty of time for that.

If the budget is defeated on 7 December, has anyone thought about the consequences? I do not know what they would be, but I suggest that it will mean no funding from the International Monetary Fund. It has been made clear that the money is contingent on the budget getting through. We are in as desperate a situation as that. Today, people who are about to take the reins of power should, at a minimum, be asking how to get a budget that is acceptable to everyone through. We should not be using the opportunity of this crisis to score points against a dead Government. There is no point in kicking it anymore. It is going out of office and that is the end of its members.

They will be changing sides in a few weeks. Responsibility has been transferred from that side to this side.

This side should be discussing how to get a budget through, not how to defeat a budget or to impose a vote of confidence. We know what the result of the election will be, so it is important we do this and not damage the national interests.

Time, please.

I plead with Opposition Members to take this stance, particularly given that Ireland is in the eye of the storm. Our nation is being looked at as the one that can stop the collapse of the entire European monetary system. We have a responsibility that goes far beyond the type of play-acting witnessed in this House. I ask those on this side of the House to behave as though they are the Government, as they will be in government in a few weeks.

Some 18 Senators have spoken and none has yet called for a debate. That is testament to how sadly we have done our business here over the years in that we have exclusively focused on reacting to situations, on the blame game and on what was done incorrectly as opposed to what could and should be done correctly. In whatever time is left that is of use to this House, I agree with Senator Ross that we must use it to feed into the budgetary process. In that context I call for an immediate debate on the four-year plan and the preparation of the budget in order that all Members can play their part in feeding into that process.

I am a former manager of a beef export plant which had to be checked regularly by the veterinary authorities and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The vet would tell me if anything was being done incorrectly. There are many reasons for failure, but no excuses. Many aspects of our system, economically, financially, politically and otherwise, in recent years have failed us, but the blame game and analysis is easy copy for lazy journalism, and there will be much talk about this in the time ahead.

In whatever time is left, however, let us focus exclusively on where the €6 billion will be found in order that Ireland can, as a small but full member of the eurozone, play its part in effectively in saving it, as Senator Ross has said. There is somewhat of a calm confusion here as we sit in the eye of the storm while the focus has changed exclusively to Portugal and Spain where matters are very far from calm. The responsibility, irrespective of imminent elections or otherwise, is squarely on these Houses to send the people and the media the message that in unity there is no division in our determination to vote through this budget, take the appropriate steps and reassure the people and our colleagues throughout Europe.

It is appropriate that organisation should extend assistance to us, as was extended to Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1975, without any substantial preconditions such as those indicated in the media frenzy on issues such as corporation tax, which were instanced in tandem with images of people queuing for water and begging on streets as we saw in IMF interventions in the past. Let us move forward with confidence and in absolute determined unity towards the only thing that can be done in the next week or two, namely, to have whatever input we can, however small, into this historically difficult budget and play our part. Let the election process begin in due course, come what may, but in the meantime let us not waste our time any longer with what has preoccupied this House daily for eight years, namely, what it says in the newspapers.

Senator MacSharry has been a good contributor.

Senator Harris is wrong in one regard in what he said. We are still a sovereign people and, unfortunately, that has a very negative implication today. It is still within our grasp to make matters worse for ourselves than they should be. It is possible to make what is truly disastrous situation for our country a crisis for Europe. That happened yesterday.

I have spoken in this House and within my party on the need for consensus and for this side of the House to facilitate our country getting through this crisis. The actions of the Green Party yesterday have made that so much more difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. Let us be clear as to why. Senator Boyle told the country that his party's partners in government had misled the country over recent days, and this side of the House is now being asked to trust the same people the Green Party has said it does not trust in securing the country through these stormy and difficult days. That is as deep a difficulty as the country could experience and it does not instil confidence in the people from whom Fianna Fáil is looking for support. It is not acceptable for Members to say we on this side of the House, in genuinely raising concerns about the economic future of the country, are play-acting.

That is not helpful in seeking to get where the country needs to get to.

It is evident the House is in its final days. While it is possible there may not be a Seanad in the future, we can look back on some glorious moments, including when the House held the fort and assisted in forming public opinion on issues such as human rights and the image we have presented to the world, one which has stood us well whenever we have required assistance. It is not unusual for the country to look to its allies in Europe for assistance; we have done so often in the past. A particularly glorious period was the time we adopted a bipartisan approach to the Northern Ireland conflict. All Members will agree that it was one of the blackest periods of Irish history. The bipartisan approach taken ensured we succeeded in getting through that period and reclaiming the dignity of human life. We also showed it was possible for us to respect all traditions on the island, for which we won kudos throughout the world. People are using what happened in the peace process as an example in seeking to solve problems in other parts of the world.

We are presented with another glorious opportunity, one which requires calm nerves, reflection and leadership. The interests, concerns and suffering of the people in the current crisis are paramount. I do not believe any sane person would suggest we should not put the budget through on 7 December or that we should not present a four-year plan tomorrow or on another day. I would like us to use the remaining days of this Seanad in a constructive manner and to endeavour to be magnanimous towards the views of others. As stated by Senator Harris, for once and for all we should send the message that while we appreciate the support from outside, we will, at the end of the day, depend on own efforts in Ireand to get back to where we were. I hope we will not lose this opportunity.

There are less than three minutes remaining and eight Members are offering. I will take questions from two or three more Members.

I have listened to the contributions of other Members and agree that there is a need for calm. The only relevant question now is: what is in the best interests of the country and its people? Yesterday's announcement by the Green Party and subsequently the Taoiseach drove people across the country crazy. Yesterday in Galway I met families, farmers and people with disabilities who expressed deep concern that they were going to lose out again in the midst of the turmoil. One of the most basic questions was whether there would be money in ATM machines at Christmas. In this regard, it is important we note what Senator Ross said. The bailout is contingent on getting the budget through.

A question to the Leader, please.

I appeal to Fianna Fáil and the Taoiseach to give us a roadmap that will work in order that this can be done easily. Is the best roadmap for this country a Government that has made so many mistakes putting a budget through for which it will not be accountable or offering an immediate general election following which a new Government — who knows who will be in it — will construct a budget and be accountable to the people, not just to get us to Christmas but to recovery in the future? The Government parties have not been accountable for so much. I appeal to the Leader and the Cabinet to do the right thing by this country and the people. Let us remember that government is a function of the people and they are screaming out for leadership now. The Government parties have done their time. I ask the Government to call a general election in order that the people can make their decisions.

It is my understanding that the Taoiseach indicated yesterday when the general election would be held. What has emerged out of recent days is that we all, as politicians, abdicated our responsibilities as leaders in our community. We are all leaders and we need to lead now because, as Senator Healy Eames said, the people are crying out for leadership. We need calmness to get the budget through and then the people will have their say and a new Government will be formed. Fianna Fáil will be held to account for what has happened on our watch and the people will elect a new Government, which will more than likely be formed by Fine Gael and the Labour Party. That they could cobble together a Government in two or three days before Christmas is absolute fantasy and that would not lead to the stability the people badly need.

I dropped my two children to the crèche this morning and I felt sad for all the children in the crèche because we need to give them more. Political reform is required. The system does not work. I did not hear any Member standing up in the past ten to 15 years to say everything was wrong. That debate is required and we will have our say when necessary.

I agree with Senator MacSharry that we should use the last days of this Seanad to discuss properly issues of relevance. The IMF yesterday suggested in its document that we should examine tax breaks for working women to bring women into the workplace. That would be an excellent debate to have in this House and I am calling for it.

I call on the Leader to reply and I will take the Members who missed out today first on the Order of Business tomorrow.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Boyle, Coghlan, Hanafin, Norris, O'Malley, Coffey, Callely, Feeney, Hannigan, Buttimer, Ormonde, Harris, O'Reilly, Ross, MacSharry, Donohoe, Ó Murchú, Healy Eames and McDonald called on us to play our part in the serious challenges facing the country which have come to the fore, especially over recent days. As the Taoiseach said last night, the vital national interest requires that financial stability be achieved and all public representatives in both Houses of the Oireachtas have to fully agree with that.

The four most important issues are publishing the four-year plan, which will set out the necessary framework for adjustment to be implemented by 2014; adopting the budget, which will come to the Dáil this day two weeks; taking all the necessary legislative and other measures to give effect to the terms of the budget, including the finance Bill, which is the most important Bill passed by the Houses each year; and concluding negotiations on a programme for support from the EU, the ECB and the IMF. These negotiations are taking place in the context of budgetary arrangements which will come into effect. We are in a serious situation. Senator Fitzgerald quite correctly pointed out the difficult times our country is experiencing and I welcome the co-operation that has been offered regarding anything that can be done in the interests of the people.

The political parties have to take a back seat on this occasion. The national interest has to come first because the alternative is unimaginable. The people are suffering quite a lot. Many families are suffering far more than we ever thought they would again, going back to other tough and difficult times, through unemployment and all the various pressures on people, particularly those who are giving employment and being employed. Subcontractors have almost gone to the wall because major contractors are in liquidation. All these issues are facing the people.

Leadership is required and it must be the order of the day. I fully agree with many of the sentiments expressed by Members. The four-year plan will be published tomorrow and it is my intention to have it on the Order Paper tomorrow. I will provide for an open-ended debate in order that each Member can discuss it. There will be a time limit on contributions but there will not be an end time for the debate. It could go on quite late tomorrow night.

Senator Callely raised the issue of fairness in the budget for people in need. He referred in particular to the 720,000 calls received by Childline so far this year and the 50% increase in cases dealt with by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He has always been a great supporter of the underprivileged and the ISPCC and all those great organisations that have huge demands on them currently. I will pass the Senator's wishes on to the Minister for Health and Children.

Senators Hannigan and Ormonde asked for a list of the Bills that will be taken before the Christmas recess. I will provide that later in the week.

Senator Ormonde referred to overseas development aid. I passed on the comments of Senators on the issue last week to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I fully agree with the Senator's sentiments.

Senator Feeney referred to the important visit to the Isle of Man by the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly this week and her experience and conversations. I note the determination with which she delivered her comments to the House.

Senator MacSharry called for a debate on the four-year plan. This will take place tomorrow and I look forward to all Members participating.

Senator Ó Murchú said that the House has made an indelible impression on many issues, especially Northern Ireland. We have received much kudos for our stances on human rights and other issues. I have no difficulty with our coming back to the House to play our part, particularly on this issue. Tomorrow will be the start of that process with the open-ended debate on the four-year plan.

Order of Business agreed to.
Barr
Roinn