Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I support the motion tabled by my colleagues in the Labour Party that the writ for the Dublin South by-election should be moved. Dublin South has been without one of its political representatives for the past seven months and this political deficit should be redressed and in the few minutes available Deputy Mitchell and I will try to point out why. The people in Dublin South should be given the opportunity to judge the record of the Government which dates back to 2007. At the time of that general election when former Deputy Brennan was elected there were indications that the economy was heading for a soft landing. We now know how hard it is impacting on low and middle-income people. More people are on the live register than when Fianna Fáil took office in 1997. One person loses a job every three minutes. The economy is the second worst performing in the EU with a forecasted contraction rate of almost 5%. The national debt will be doubled in one year and Government borrowing is at unsustainable levels and becoming more expensive. International finance agencies are speaking publicly about downgrading or reviewing the credit standing of Ireland's economy.

Today the Government got an opportunity to take some action. As a result of the deteriorating situation I am sure the Government felt it had no option but to take some very difficult decisions that will affect the take-home pay of every public sector worker. The country and its institutions require wholesale reform if our economic competitiveness is to be restored so that Ireland can again become a friendly place to do business. A portion of money that has been earmarked for the recapitalisation of institutions should be directed at growth, development and small businesses.

Former Deputy Seamus Brennan was a reformer. In the time he was here he genuinely tried to change things for the better but was often held back by his own Taoiseach and leader from getting into any conflict with vested interests. As Minister for Transport, he tried to reform the Dublin bus market but was thwarted. The failure of the Fianna Fáil Party to reform any aspect of State services has held the country back. Our economy has suffered and our competitiveness has deteriorated to become one of the worst in Europe. Delay, inaction, weakness and inequality are all hallmarks of the Government. That the Taoiseach has invested so much time and effort into social partnership and failed to deliver an agreement is an indication of the lack of foresight in dealing with the economic and social consequences of the fallout from inaction over many years.

The Government's response to the financial crisis has been to introduce unfair taxes on the lower and middle-income groups. The Lenihan levy and now the tax on public sector workers target all workers regardless of their income. It is time that the opportunity afforded by the untimely passing of former Deputy Brennan is given to the country to engage in a public debate on how we can get ourselves out of this appalling financial and economic mess. It is time for a referendum on Government performance. As Deputy Gilmore has said, if the Government is confident it is taking the right steps and adopting the right policy let it be put to the test in Dublin South and also in Dublin Central.

The opportunity of providing a referendum is not just an opportunity to pass judgment on the Government performance but of equal importance is that Dublin South should have a full complement of five Deputies to represent the constituency. Regrettably a vacancy has arisen owing to the untimely death of former Deputy Brennan.

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