Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I will conclude by saying that the responsible fiscal policies we have pursued have enabled us to deliver the most competitive tax regime in Europe. In this we have been opposed every year by Fine Gael, which continues the policy of attacking general increases while demanding countless specific increases. Lower taxes, higher social supports and a falling debt burden are what we have achieved by taking the route of substance over soundbites, and we will continue on that road.

I thank the Deputies opposite for tabling the motion. The best benchmark of how a country is doing is to look at its capacity to generate new, sustainable jobs and advance the standard of living of its citizens. Ultimately, that is what good macro-economic and sound enterprise policies deliver and we will continue with our work in this regard.

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