P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

In 1989, Fine Gael put the country first with the Tallaght strategy. It is widely acknowledged that the outgoing rainbow Government led by John Bruton from 1994 to 1997 left the country in a very sound economic position. The economic health of the nation was so good that it took Fianna Fáil over two terms of government to wreck it again. Fianna Fáil has always gambled with the economy to save the party and its gambling has never paid off. The Irish taxpayer has always paid a high price for the high-risk bets put down with the taxpayer's hard-earned money. For the good of the country Fianna Fáil cannot be returned to power for at least a decade and possibly longer.

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