Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

We would not be debating this or other cuts in public expenditure if the Fianna Fáil Party had lived up to its responsibilities in government. Years of profligate, irresponsible spending funded through debt and borrowing were matched by economic policies which cost the economy its competitiveness and reputation as a good place to do business. In 1997, when the coalition left government, Ireland had the most competitive economy in Europe. Look at where we are today. Everything that was done under the Fianna Fáil Government was subsumed to the higher aim of a cynical strategy geared at winning elections, at which the Fianna Fáil Party was very successful. I have no doubt its failed policies have landed us in the current economic mess. The biggest challenge facing the present Government is to step back from the edge of national insolvency.

Having brought our country to the verge of ruin, what does Fianna Fáil, which likes to style itself as a responsible Opposition party, do? I presume Deputy Crowe's party and other parties opposite are the irresponsible side of the Opposition.

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