Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann reaffirms is confidence in the Taoiseach and in the Government.

Almost four years ago the people voted this Government into power, asking that we do four things, namely, rescue the economy, resuscitate the banks, restore Ireland's reputation and, above all, get our people back to work. At that time Ireland was three months from running out of money and the Government faced the prospect of no cash for public services or salaries. The economy was in free-fall, the banks were bust, house prices were diving and mortgage arrears were soaring. With a quarter of a million jobs lost in the previous three years, the dole queues heaved with our brightest and best. The bailout troika strode not only into the Department of Finance in that bleak mid-winter but deep into our national psyche. Inside their homes, people sat dazed and horrified. They had gone from being awash with cash to drowning in debt.

When the Government of Fine Gael and the Labour Party came into office in 2011, we had a plan to rescue Ireland from a bleak and hopeless future. While the past few years have been difficult for our nation, we have put our country on the road to recovery. This is possible because in following a specific plan, Ireland is now recognised as the fastest growing economy in Europe, a fact unthinkable three years ago. This is no accident; it is a reflection of the recovery plan we have steadfastly implemented since day one of government. It is a recovery plan that has been opposed at every turn by parties of soundbites, negativity and misinformation.

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