Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Is the Tánaiste trying to have it both ways? In the run-up to the election, he was happy to portray himself as the person responsible for Irish economic growth. Now that we are facing into difficulties, another set of bodies and factors is to blame such as the international financial situation, the European Central Bank and the Council of Ministers. The Minister has no hands-on approach, yet he has some responsibility to bear for the downturn in the economy and the impact it is having on families, particularly those losing their jobs in the construction industry.

Does the Minister have a response for the changed circumstances in which we find ourselves? The Government presides over a continuing set of service price increases which are part of the reason we have one of the highest inflation rates in the EU. The Minister is responsible for the good times but is not responsible when times get bad. Does the Minister have a response ready for what is happening in the economy?

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