Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Just over 20 months ago, the Government inherited a country that had been wrecked by irresponsible behaviour and fiscal mismanagement. The previous Government narrowed the tax base, which meant the economic downturn led to a fiscal nightmare for the country. The previous Government engaged in a reckless massive increase in spending of the one-off proceeds generated by the property boom. The same boom has left many families burdened with debt and fearful for their future. Difficult issues were resolved not by reform, but by throwing money at them. This was particularly true with regard to pensions, including those of senior civil servants and politicians, often voted for by some of the people who signed this evening's motion.

I acknowledge that the intentions of the people who signed the motion are often well-meaning. I refer to the members of the United Left Alliance. At the heart of the motion, however, is a criticism of high levels of pay and pensions that are a direct result of people like Deputy Mattie McGrath voting for those increases over the course of the past 15 years.

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