'Dysfunctional Government staggers to break'

THE LABOUR leader sharply criticised the Taoiseach and the Government during heated Dáil exchanges.

"I will be absolutely clear lest there be any doubt,'' said Eamon Gilmore. "This Government is appalling. It is a deadbeat Government.''

Mr Gilmore described the Government as "politically and economically dysfunctional, and is now staggering exhausted to the Christmas break"'.

Brian Cowen said that Mr Gilmore could do all the name-calling he wanted because he was good at it. "That is part of the rough and tumble of politics and I have no problem with it,'' he added.

"However, I assure the deputy that the Government will work hard on maintaining this country's reputation as a good economy, a place to do business and a location where enterprise can prosper.''

Mr Gilmore sharply attacked the Government's decision to adjourn the House today until January 27th, saying the State was facing its worst economic crisis.

Mr Cowen said Oireachtas committees would return on January 7th, and the Government would be involved in trade delegations to support Irish industry abroad.

Mr Cowen accused Mr Gilmore and the Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, of providing "soundbites" for the daily business.

"Deputy Gilmore spoke about people being prepared to step up to the plate.

"I believe people are prepared to step up to the plate and when they do, under the social partnership process, I will be interested to see what the Opposition in this House will do.

"The Opposition will agree with everything in theory but when it comes to practice, they oppose everything on every day, and they have no alternative.''

Mr Gilmore replied: "The Taoiseach's problem is not the Opposition.

"The Taoiseach's problem is the Government that he is leading. It is not doing its job.''

Mr Gilmore said the Taoiseach had received more co-operation from the Opposition than any other government in a long time and, frankly, a lot more than he deserved.

He added that Mr Cowen had received co-operation from the Opposition on Lisbon, when a problem arose last week in regard to the pig industry and generally over the past several months in respect of the economy.

He warned Mr Cowen that he would not get "a silent Opposition''.

Mr Gilmore added that the "one thing that constrains me in saying what I really want to say about the incompetence and the lack of drive, initiative and effort on the part of the Government, is that I might cause damage by doing so''.

Mr Cowen said he was not asking the Opposition to be silent. "That is a matter for Opposition deputies.''

Later, on the Order of Business, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny also opposed the long Dáil adjournment. He said he respected the fact that Ministers would be abroad at some stage in January on delegations and carrying out national business.

"However, at a time when 10,000 people a month are losing their jobs, and when the most time off for those who have jobs is a week at Christmas time, it is perverse that the parliament - the Dáil - should be off until the end of January.''

Sinn Féin leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said there was need for a full debate on the health service.