Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Gormley, you say in page 1 of your written statement, "It’s a fact that two thirds of what is known euphemistically as the ‘fiscal adjustment’, which led to the recovery, was made by the Green Party in government." You say that "Green Party TDs and Senators voted for these cut backs and tax increases, convinced that this was the correct course of action, while also knowing that it would lead inevitably to electoral annihilation" and, finally, you said "I’m proud of the dignified way that the Greens conducted themselves during this time of adversity." Could I put to you, Mr. Gormley, a contrary view that in the general election of 2007, the harsh austerity measures were unthinkable and that no Government really would have a democratic mandate to impose such measures. And in that context, Mr. Gormley, can I ask you was the worst day in government better than the best day in opposition? Was that a siren call or was it sound advice from a partner in government?