Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

We have already implemented our programme for Government commitments on stamp duty and that matter is closed. Deputy Kenny knows what he has stated is not true. For the past decade this economy has been growing by approximately 7.7%. Our debt to GDP ratio is one of the lowest in Europe. We are able to fund our capital programme from our own resources and we have been able to reform the tax system and reduce personal, company and property taxes. We have been able to give significant increases to social welfare and lift the welfare customer base to the same level as an industrial wage which is second to none. We have been able to continue to implement huge expenditure plans across educational and health services with huge increases in staff numbers which is giving better delivery to individuals. We want to continue with what is arguably one of the best economic models in any country in the world.

See this speech in context