Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Such a Government should have a determination to make difficult and unpopular but fair decisions in the teeth of opposition, should be able to communicate successfully the need for such decisions and should have the ability to lead citizens towards the common good. By any reckoning, this Government, led by the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, has passed those tests in response to the worst economic and financial crisis in the history of the State.

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