Does the Tánaiste recognise the scale of the chaos in our criminal justice system at the moment? Thousands of cases have been adjourned. Victims will await justice. Backlogs are building. We now have habeas corpus cases taking place in the High Court. The Minister referenced my flowery language. I am surprised that Fine Gael is giving the Minister for justice such free rein in relation to the chaos he has caused. Prior to taking up the position, the Minister was critical of Fine Gael's handling of the justice system for the preceding 14 years. We now have criminal courts coming to a standstill and all the Government offers is soundbites. I am not talking about the Tánaiste's soundbites.

You did the Margaret Thatcher line.

The Government offered no analysis by which the decision was made. In recognition of the chaos in our courts, can the Tánaiste, as Minister for Finance and leader of Fine Gael, simply say he is willing to engage in a manner that the Minister is not?

It was unhelpful to refer to the Minister for justice as Margaret Thatcher. That was the flowery and colourful language-----

He said he was not for turning.

-----that was unhelpful. Reforms are difficult and tough. The Social Democrats show a great appetite for reform in some areas. They were squarely behind the Minister for Health in her reforms for consultants. When it comes to the lawyers, the party is adopting a different approach. That is an interesting insight.

The Minister for justice is increasing the flat rate fee that is being paid. It is going to result in the current fee being paid for five appearances in the District Court, plus an 8% increase. How many times does someone need to go in front of the District Court? It is paying for five appearances, plus an 8% increase. Reforms are hard but if this is an insight into how the Social Democrats would govern the country, through cherry-picking and giving in to every campaign-----

It would be based on evidence.

-----well, quelle surprise.