Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I agree with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, that this is a good opportunity to consider the record of the Government and separate it from its rhetoric. The trail of broken promises and cynical posturing by Ministers have alienated even committed Fianna Fáil voters. The Minister spoke about consultants. In his desperation to convince, the Taoiseach at every opportunity uses the phrase "the Government working with the people". His spin-doctors have obviously told him that the people understand all too clearly how he and his Government have lost touch with them and their concerns. Somehow he is trying to gather some cover for himself by reinforcing a message that he and his Government are working with the people. However, nobody is fooled by that line.

At the last general election the Taoiseach made promises to bring hospital waiting lists to an end within two years. Last week in the Seanad the Leader of the House, Senator O'Rourke, said of these promises that "they are untruths as well". Those are her words, not mine.

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