Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

I have no confidence in the Government and the people I represent in County Clare have no confidence in it.

Yesterday, at the beginning of this debate, the Taoiseach, in explaining the context of the decisions his Government has made over the past 12 months said: "We do that not because we are aligned to any particular economic ideological philosophy..." It is very clear to me, and to the people of the country, that since 1997 one very specific economic ideological philosophy was followed. This ideological philosophy was shared by the Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, and the former Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy. Both these men, as Ministers for Finance, through their budgetary decisions poured petrol on the flames of this country's independent economic growth. This was done simply in order to ensure re-election in 2002 and 2007.

Where do we now find ourselves today? We are pumping money to the tune of €7.5 billion, with more to come, into banking institutions that are of, so called, systemic importance, yet we hear they have not loaned a cent since last September. The Taoiseach yesterday described his Government's actions in relation to the banking crisis as "structured and considered". They are anything but. They merely accept the status quo and commit future generations of Irish people to picking up the tab.

The Taoiseach, some months ago, stated that our children will not enjoy the same prosperity as we have up to now. That is some indictment and some political legacy. The figures released last week show unemployment just marginally under 400,000 and expected to reach 500,000 by the end of the year. The figures for County Clare show a 12 month increase from 5,036 to 9,688, or a 92.4% increase. Our current rate of unemployment and its consequential multiplier effect on long-term unemployment is a serious threat to our potential for a proper viable recovery, yet the Government seems paralysed by inaction on this issue.

The debacle experienced in my constituency during the latter part of 2007 in relation to the Aer Lingus service to Heathrow is another example of Government inaction. I know Government Deputies will now say these services are back in place, but think of the destruction and erosion of confidence in the region, the loss of business and the fact that so much energy was expended unnecessarily. Pieces of national infrastructure such as the Heathrow slots should be in the possession of the State and not a plc. This option was not considered by Government. Indeed, it chose not to exercise the influence of its 25% shareholding. I call on Aer Lingus to reinstate all the Shannon to Heathrow services.

There are elements of our economy which the Government seems hell-bent on ignoring, some of which have traditionally provided us with growth and a positive image around the world. The most significant of these is agriculture. We are an ideally located country. We are a green island with a tradition of food production. We have the natural resources of milk and beef and a processing industry that has established itself around the world, yet, in an ego driven pursuit of the vague concept of a "knowledge economy", the Government seems determined to ignore a firmly rooted and resilient industry. This is a perfect example of the Government's tunnel vision.

The Government likes to dress up old ideas and present them as new. It is jaded and tired. It is time for the Government to get out of office. It is time for a new start. It is time to call a general election.

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