Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

They also envisage a new quango type structure with no clear mandate. It is very odd that a party which has spent the last year determined to eliminate quangos at all costs now proposes a new quango, the quango of all quangos, as the panacea to our problems. Deputy Coveney mentioned State bodies in the plural.

Creating a superbody with the name "New Economy and Recovery Authority" does not of itself create recovery and sounds like a form of political outsourcing. It also strikes one as strange that the new solution consists of a body for "co-ordination, restructuring and financing". It is not much of an improvement on the last effort of a contract with the people, which the people did not buy. They accuse us of inaction, but is this the best those opposite can produce?

It seems to be all about creating a plausible and reassuring front for present purposes, while giving nothing away about what Fine Gael would actually do in Government with others. I have no great affinity with the main opposition party across the water, until recently allies of Fine Gael in the EPP, but two days ago their leader, David Cameron, warned that an incoming Tory Government would have to take "some incredibly tough decisions on taxation, spending and borrowing". I have not heard parties opposite speak as frankly in these tones to the Irish people.

The Government certainly does not propose to set up another State body at a time when we are committed to reducing the numbers and improving efficiency and effectiveness through rationalisation of State bodies, a move which those opposite previously indicated they strongly support. It is unclear what the Opposition means by competitive charges for infrastructure. Does this refer to more tolls or even water charges for domestic users? Perhaps they should spell it out to the voters.

See this speech in context