Byelection winners O'Sullivan and Lee make their maiden speeches

THE TWO byelection winners, Fine Gael’s George Lee and Independent Maureen O’Sullivan, made their maiden speeches yesterday.

Mr Lee said that he understood completely that the intentions of the people on the Government side of the House were as good as those of anybody on his side.

He added: “In saying that, I do not have confidence in their ability, I do not wish to be seen as a personal attack on any individual.

“It is, however, an attack on Government, given the situation the country is in. It is the most appalling mess, economically and socially, that we are heading into.

“We have had the best economy in the world and the most money available to any government in the history of the Irish economy, or in the wildest dreams of any Minister or politician, to disperse over recent years.

“We have had the great opportunity in front of us and the Government has blown it. In my view, there is no doubt about that.”

Mr Lee said that unemployment was currently rising at a rate of 1,000 people a day.

“As I came in here yesterday, bemused with regard to the antics of the Dáil – obviously, I am on a learning curve and appreciate that – three Ministers on the opposite side of the House were asleep,” he added.

“At the time, the Taoiseach was speaking about leadership and getting quite impassioned about it, too.”

Acting chairman Noel O’Flynn (Fianna Fáil) suggested to Mr Lee said that members could be in meditation with their eyes closed.

“I have never seen a member, on any side of the House, deep in sleep,” he added.

Ms O’Sullivan referred to the “untimely and sad death” of Tony Gregory, her predecessor in Dublin Central.

“I am not an economist nor do I have a variety of statistics to hand, or reports which I can quote, but I wonder what those statistics and reports mean in the real world, and what these debates mean and what help and consolation they are bringing to the man or woman who has lost a job and who is now facing losing his or her home?” she added.

Ms O’Sullivan asked what the statistics, reports and economic jargon meant to people on community, youth and drugs projects who were losing places and funding.

“What do they mean for children with special needs, those in need of learning support and those who have been abused?” she asked.

“Are they filled with confidence and hope that the members of this House, and particularly those in government, will do the right thing for them?”

Ms O’Sullivan pointed out that these people were all victims of the mismanagement of the economy and they were waiting for action to be taken.