Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

We will protect the economy and position the country to benefit from the global economic upturn when it eventually occurs. These decisions have not been popular, but they are unavoidable. We will continue to take actions to restore order and sustainability to the public finances. We are determined not to repeat the policy mistakes of the 1980s when successive Governments postponed taking the necessary decisions. At the time I was a member of the party which engaged in the initial postponement. The parties opposite engaged in subsequent postponements. None of it suited the country's interests. The Government was not afraid to take action as soon as there was a crisis. As difficulties emerged last July, we took immediate corrective action which we followed in October, February and April.

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