Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Prior to the general election, many of the leading members of the parties now in government competed with each other in their negative descriptions of the economy. They knew full well the impact the global economic crisis was having on our island. Even with that knowledge, they proceeded to make election promises. It was on the basis of those promises and various other commitments that they received the mandate to which they refer so regularly. We know from what the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, stated in last Sunday night's edition of "The Week in Politics" that this is what parties do at election time. No wonder the public have such a cynical view of all of us in here.

I could produce for the House a copy of an e-mail sent out by the then Fine Gael spokesperson on finance and current Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, in respect of the cuts contained in the budget introduced in December 2010. I could also show Members a copy of an advertisement taken out by the Labour Party prior to the general election. However, I do not wish to waste time discussing the manifestos produced by all political parties at previous elections. Unfortunately, most of the parties - including that which I represent - promised to cut too many taxes and spend less. The best way to reduce the social welfare budget is by creating opportunities for employment.

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