Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to rise to support this motion of confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government, which has been provoked by Sinn Féin. In doing so, I have absolutely no confidence in the Sinn Féin leadership. The unstable, obstructive, childish antics engaged by their so-called best and brightest, should be a wake up call to the Irish people of the dysfunction that is the cult of Sinn Féin and that their project of social ordering would inevitably lead to a failed society. Peddling misery and squalor on this country is the vehicle to help them reach their political ambition.

The timing of this motion deserves greater examination. Sinn Féin could not table it any later because things are improving for the Irish people and it was a case of now or never. This Government has achieved what many would not predict. The economic fortunes of Ireland have been rescued and we are firmly on the right path. Great credit must go to the fortitude, resourcefulness, pragmatism and wisdom of the Irish people. However, in order to allow the people to face these challenges, leadership was and is still required to deal with the achievements made and the obstacles yet to come. The Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny and the Tánaiste, Deputy Joan Burton, have provided that leadership.

The stamina ,courage, experience, wisdom and leadership shown by the Taoiseach since March 2011, is in stark contrast with the miserable, petty, incoherent, populist, stage-acting rhetoric that is thrown before us masquerading as though it was a viable or credible alternative. There is no question but this Government has made mistakes and perhaps will again, but the decisions that this Taoiseach and his Ministers have taken has built the foundations for a country where a sustainable economy will provide for a future where people will find reward for their initiative and there will be compassion for the most vulnerable. Of course we are not there yet. This country was left in such a pitiful state by the previous Government it was never going to be fixed in one, two or three years, but we are getting there steadily with the help of the people, guided by this Taoiseach and this Government.

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