Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann,

condemns the Government for:

its reckless economic policies over the last five years that undermined the stability and competitiveness of the Irish economy and that are now sabotaging our country's ability to withstand tougher economic times; and

its failure to respond swiftly and decisively to the mounting crisis and loss of confidence in the Irish economy;

in light of the deteriorating economic outlook, calls on the Government to start recovery in the Irish economy through a programme of reform and a budget that:

takes control of our public finances and secures and protects essential front line services;

avoids any increases in taxes by ensuring better value for money is achieved in public spending;

introduces an anti-inflationary strategy that reverses the relentless rise in prices across the economy;

allows house prices to return to fair values and does not compound its earlier mistakes by further attempts to use taxpayers' resources to support the property market; and

tackles the barriers that have been holding back growth in productivity, energy efficiency and exports across the economy.

I wish to share time with Deputies Kieran O'Donnell, Olivia Mitchell, Michael Ring and Simon Coveney.

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