Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

Does the Tánaiste not agree that those who examine the public spending patterns of the Government and who see waste, complacency and self-indulgence are not the ones who are blind? The Government, which seems to surround itself in the belief that everything is all right in the garden and that it is correct, is deceiving itself. Does the Tánaiste not accept that we must confront Government waste, which is notably widespread in health and other areas, and reform a range of uncompetitive markets, which the Government has manifestly failed to do, and that we need effective preparation for major strategic challenges such as climate change? Yesterday, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, had the grace to admit that the Government's climate change strategy was hopelessly wrong. Does the Tánaiste not agree that a little more honesty from himself concerning preparedness to deal with tougher times would serve the economy better than the stuff he keeps churning out?

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