Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When I had the privilege of being appointed to the Government, this country was on its knees. The catastrophic failures of our predecessors had left the State on the verge of bankruptcy with a contracting economy, continuously increasing unemployment, unsustainable public expenditure, a collapsed property market, and with our people fearful of their future and with no sense of hope. Over two years we have substantially reduced public expenditure, maintained industrial peace, stabilised our banking system, stabilised the property market, put in place essential new structures to assist those burdened by unsustainable debt, substantially reformed the way Government works, restored the State's international reputation and the number of those unemployed is reducing. Moreover, by the end of this year, we should exit the troika programme and regain our economic sovereignty. We have taken Fianna Fáil's nightmare legacy by the scruff of the neck and our people can now have faith in the future. It is a privilege to be a member of a Government which has achieved so much in such a short period of time and to have had the opportunity of contributing to the work that has been done.

I have very important responsibilities in government and let nobody be in doubt but that I take them very seriously. My concern in government is for the citizens of the State and my priority is ensuring they live in a safe and secure environment.

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