Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Rabbitte is dead right; people are concerned about the economy. They are heartened to see the country has had an annual growth rate of 6% and 7% over a series of years. They are heartened that employment continues to grow, taxes have been reduced, much resources have gone into building new hospitals and improving the education services at first, second and third level. They are heartened at the rate of house-building and the improvement in the standards of our energy resources sustainability. They are, however, concerned that this will all change, especially if Deputy Rabbitte gets his hands on power.

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