Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I have been perplexed as I listened to the debate on the economy yesterday and today. Calls have been made by Members on the Government benches for co-operation from the Opposition parties and many Members only fell short of calling for some sort of a national Government. However, any move towards any type of national Government to deal with the current economic crisis is utterly impossible for the simple reason that this Government has been paralysed by indecision during the past six months, ever since the effects of the credit crunch were felt domestically. Ever since the extent of the recession and the rise in unemployment became apparent, it has been clear the Government has been bereft of any solutions and has been incapable of taking any decisive action. The Opposition would be abdicating its responsibility, to a grave extent, if it was to support the inaction and blubbering we have seen from this Fianna Fáil-led Government in recent months.

We have a duty to hold the Government to account, which is what we have been doing and will continue to do. If the Government comes forward with positive solutions to the current financial crisis and, as Deputy Kenny, our party leader, said here yesterday, if the Government is prepared to take on board some of the proposals put forward by our party for us to work together in a constructive fashion to find a solution to issue, we will be more than happy to work with all partners across the House to achieve a solution that is in the interests of the Irish economy and particularly of the Irish people.

However, this economic crisis is a direct result of years of inflationary budgets, particularly and coincidentally those budgets leading into general elections, dire regulation of the banking sector and a property boom that was unsustainable. We reached a point where more than 25% of revenue into the Government coffers in recent years was represented by property related taxes. That is what has led us to this financial crisis. Deputies, particularly those at the Cabinet table, need to step up to the plate and accept responsibility for the role they played in leading us to this position.

I note the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, mentioned that commentators should measure their words in regard to the economy. We were told in recent months and years that we should not talk down the economy. We were accused of being unpatriotic and trying to undermine the glorious boom that was prevailing in the country at the time. Had Cabinet Ministers taken the time out to listen to some of the economic commentators and Opposition spokespeople who highlighted the problems and deficiencies within the system, perhaps the current economic crisis could have been avoided.

Given the level of public concern, fear, worry and anger, it is extraordinary that the Government is dealing with the current economic crisis in a decidedly anti-democratic way. It is important to consult the social partners and to try to reach consensus but it is completely unacceptable that the only discussions of any worth are taking place behind closed doors. We on the Opposition benches are not privy to any of the detail. We read about it, if we are lucky, through the pages of the national press media or leaked memos to the national broadcaster and so on. This is not acceptable and not what parliamentary democracy is about. If the Government wants co-operation from the Opposition benches, it needs to start co-operating with the political parties on this side of the House because we represent people. We have a direct mandate and we are here to represent the interests of those people in all the constituencies throughout the country who voted for us. We are accountable to the people and expect to be treated by the Government in a fashion that takes account of that.

I am worried the Government will make decisions which will be designed only to appease the social partners and which will not necessarily be in the long-term interests of the country. Raising taxes, and I stress this point, will not kick-start this economy. It is dangerous and detrimental to believe that raising taxes and imposing further burdens on businesses will assist in addressing the economic crisis or help us to get out of the mess we are in.

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