Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

We need to recognise that the ability to analyse and criticise trenchantly is not necessarily the same as the ability to devise solutions and win sufficient support to implement them. The ten-point plan published in the Evening Herald last Friday by this candidate, which would be fine as an aspirational wish list, does not even begin to add up. The full-year cost of one measure, a 3.5% cut in the 13.5% rate of VAT, would cost €1 billion on its own.

The fiscal policy of the Government in this crisis is, in the technical meaning of the term, highly progressive. While those on low incomes or social welfare have been largely protected, a scaled contribution has been demanded from those in a somewhat better position to pay, although I accept that most people at all levels find themselves under pressure.

The future pension bill, including the public service pension bill, is not sustainable. There is little doubt that those of us working in the public sector enjoy more security and better pay and conditions, on average, than those working in the private sector at present. It is unrealistic to imagine that the public sector could continue in the current circumstances as an island of prosperity cut off and insulated from the harsh economic winds buffeting the rest of society.

As a former member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission until 2007, I am bemused at the reports from Westminster, given how strongly we were advised to adopt its system of vouched expenses. I particularly like the alleged case of the cleaning of a castle moat being put down to parliamentary expenses. I admire the decisive and clearcut response of the Leader of the Opposition in Britain to abuses in his party. Here, the Minister has suggested that the pay of office holders and most senior public servants should be benchmarked against smaller European countries.

The Labour Party was critical of the low capital tax rates and thresholds introduced by the former Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, even though revenue increased significantly as assets were traded more freely. These are now being adjusted but remain relatively generous. The changes will have more significance when the economy picks up, but they make the system fairer now. A concerted attempt is being made to propagate the patently absurd notion that the Government has imposed onerous taxes and levies on ordinary people in order to bail out builders and developers. The only help being given, on rigorous terms, is to the commercial banks, many of whose board members have had to resign.

Nor can it be argued that the Government's measures are in any way tailored to short-term electoral considerations. They are in fact a courageous effort to measure up responsibly to the needs and gravity of the situation, and that has been acknowledged and respected internationally, if not always at home. This Government, and any Government elected at a general election, has a mandate to deal with unexpected crises - by definition, most crises are unexpected - that arise from time to time during its term in office. The ship of state is being steered through extremely stormy waters. It will be time enough when we have reached shelter to consider shelter who would be the best crew for the next voyage.

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