Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This shows itself in the reality of what has been happening. There has been a sustained withdrawal of State support for marginalised communities and drugs have been seen as only important as a public order issue. The social devastation that drugs cause is nowhere on the Government's agenda and was missing from the complacent and self-satisfied speeches of the Government we have heard to date. In the face of this, it shows something about the priorities of the Taoiseach and his party that his only specific commitment for the next budget and for the years ahead is to cut taxes for the highest earners.

In health, yet again claims of adequate funding have fallen apart within days. The damage done in three years of failed policies has not been reversed. At best the rate of decline will be maintained. The Government has not given the HSE the funds required to maintain adequate services. The massive rises in waiting lists, still dismissed by the Taoiseach, will not be halted but will get worse. While the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, implies he knows it is flawed, the Government remains committed to implementing a health funding model which would lead directly to a massive health tax. It would create a monster which would make Irish Water look like value for money.

In education, schools face a growing funding crisis, with those who serve poorer communities suffering disproportionately. Protests are being made by communities throughout the country as they see the impact on local life and on their children. This is the direct result of regressive and avoidable policies. The abolition of postgraduate grants and the elimination of career guidance counsellors' ex quota positions are two examples.

The approach of trying to implement policy without discussion or review led directly to last week’s second-level school strikes and is part of a wider problem of refusing to engage with public servants. This arrogant and dismissive approach allowed the biggest crisis in the modern history of the Garda to develop. It has also led to the withdrawal of community policing as the defining characteristic of An Garda Síochána.

The pattern of neglecting problems and allowing them to become crises has also shown itself regarding Northern Ireland. When Fianna Fáil pointed out the collapsing public confidence in the behaviour of the DUP and Sinn Féin, and the danger this posed, we received sustained abuse in response, not just from those parties but from the Government. The Taoiseach even gave a speech saying things had never been better. With growing problems on the street, rising sectarian tensions and an Executive which is destroying public trust in the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement, this week the Taoiseach will for the first time attend a negotiation with the parties. That is not a record to be proud of.

The failure of the Government to implement even one significant reform of politics and government confirms how it mainly cares about retaining power. Appointing an advisory group on the Seanad without consultation about its role or membership confirms that nothing significant will be implemented.

The Taoiseach must bear responsibility for the growing crisis in his Government and the collapse of public trust in it. He busies himself with photo opportunities-----

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