Dáil debates

Thursday, 5 February 2009

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed)

 

12:00 pm

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have the same level of interest in helping secure the future of this country as any Member of the House, including Opposition Members, but I do not play the political tactic of apportioning blame. It is important to remember that we are not just governed by our own political thinking or economic strategy. Outside forces are having an effect also, and I do not say that in the context of trying to spread the blame among outside forces.

I welcome this debate. In recent months one would have got the impression that ours was the only economy in the world suffering a recession. When I hear commentators make the political complaint that the Government is not giving leadership I wonder if those same commentators ever look at our own political apparatus and ignore what is happening worldwide. I refer to the major economic difficulties in the powerhouse of Europe, Germany, and the similar difficulties being experienced in France, the United States of America and the rest of Europe.

I am not one for Opposition bashing but for members of the Opposition to comment on the public record that this country is bankrupt represents a bankruptcy of ideas among Opposition members. This Government is in a process of trying to assure international bankers, investors and the International Monetary Fund that we are in control of our economy. My response to the comment that this Government failed to give leadership is that if leadership is about offering a soundbite, a smile for a camera or a quick solution without any strategic planning it is about short-term politics. It is certainly not strategic and is the opposite of what the Taoiseach has shown in the past few months.

It is a pity the talks with the social partners, condemned by the Opposition, did not succeed, although I understand the reason. On the one hand we are accused by Fine Gael of wasting time and Labour accuses us of not spending enough time talking to the social partners. The process this Government engaged upon involving all the partners was the proper political and, more importantly, economic strategy.

Having gone through that process the Government is now forced, as it were, to bring in serious economic strategies that will affect many people. I regret that people in the public sector believe they are being singled out but many of the concerns of the private sector have not been reflected in this House. The difficulty of having to deal with a loss of income or a reduction in income pales into insignificance when I hear of people who have lost jobs in the private sector. In that context, when we take into account the budgetary strategy and realise the shortfall in tax revenue, it behoves Members to realise the Government must take the action it is now taking.

I find it difficult when people dismiss Government speakers with a wave of their hand and say they are putting together their summation of the economy, and then rush to judgment by suggesting money has been wasted in recent years. I have yet to hear an Opposition spokesperson outline where the money has been wasted, with the exception of the storage of the electronic voting machines.

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