Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the question of taking long-term decisions, let the record show the views of the Opposition parties when we decided on the National Pensions Reserve Fund, a policy decision by my predecessor. Let the record show what Opposition spokespersons said about raiding that fund when a downturn happened in 2001 and 2002. Let the record show what they all said on how that pension fund should be dealt with and whether we should put money aside for the future. The consistent position of this Government will stand the test of time in terms of taking decisions that will be of great benefit not to this Administration or in the next term but in 2025 and beyond when there will be the prospect of ensuring we have adequate provision for State pensions for ordinary workers. Let the record show the views of the so-called workers' representatives on that when the heat came on in the first few years of the fund.

See this speech in context