Aontaím leis an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh maidir le 2013 - Bliain na Gaeilge. Caithfimid uilig ár gcúpla focal a úsáid. Ba mhaith liom, ar mo shon féin, mo chomhbhrón a dhéanamh leis an Seanadóir Deirdre Clune agus a clann ar bhás a máthair. Ba mhaith liom chomhbhrón a dhéanamh freisin le clann Shane McEntee ar a bhás. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Freisin, maidir leis an méid atá ráite ag an Seanadóir Ó Murchú - I have to say this in English because some Members do not have their headphones on. In addition to what Senator Ó Murchú said about positivity and good news, we must include honesty. If we are honest as politicians, people will have much more respect for us. I would like to bring the positive news that nobody has mentioned today about a significant decision made by the Eurogroup last night, in respect of the European element of the EU-IMF programme and the €85 billion bailout bill that this country has to foot.

We are all honest and all in this. Not all of the country was to blame, but the Government and everyone else had a role. I was part of another party at the time, Fianna Fáil. The €85 billion bailout is being corrected by the Government. Only because it is being corrected could this positive decision be taken at EU level. It is only because of the commitments signed up to by the previous Government on the EU-IMF programme and being carried forward by the Government that we will now make savings. One economist put the figure at €400 million per year and €4 billion over the ten years. Only in this way will the country save and then be able to get back to paying nurses, and everyone else, their due salaries.

Senator Keane should wait until we see the detail.

We cannot pay what we do not have. It is only because it is not being collected in taxes that we cannot put it out.

The Government is paying unguaranteed bondholders.

It will cost us more.

This is true, as well as good news. It is good news that the Government has negotiated this in the European Union, but we should be honest also.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I have a question for the Leader.

Get to it then.

Could we have a debate on what people will listen to? When we are talking about funding the country, we should do so with reasoned debate and honesty. We should be aware as public representatives that there is an onus on us to contribute to constructive and positive debate and talk about good news, when it is available, rather than always discussing whether we should close this House because we are going out of business, as someone beside me said, on account of all the bad news.

Up the PDs.

Does Senator Keane have a question for the Leader?

I am asking for a debate on reality in politics and particularly on its financial element.