Alex White (Labour)

Senator Fitzgerald is absolutely right. Having spoken to citizens, I note many have gone beyond anger at this stage. There is a real sense of paralysis, particularly in recent days. It is extraordinary. People are filled with awe that they are expected to watch something that seems to pass for politics, namely, the circus that surrounds the leadership of Fianna Fáil which is being indulged across the media as if there was nothing else of importance that we could debate in the serious economic climate. Some members of Fianna Fáil have gone on radio to tell us that, if the party can crank up the Taoiseach again for a few weeks and if he gives a few prize fighting performances on radio and television, everything will be fine.