Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is little wonder the Government wants another few months in office before facing the people, but it will make no difference. Back in 2011 the Government was swept to power with a record mandate and the overwhelming goodwill of the Irish people to be bold and reforming, but it has utterly failed to deliver in so many areas.

Political reform, which was demanded by voters in 2011 has been abandoned completely. Instead, the Government put a new polish on the old ways. Many of the big questions facing the country have been ignored completely and the programme for Government commitment on pensions is a case in point. The Government promised to reform the pension system to achieve progressively universal coverage but instead, decided to raid €2.4 billion from private pension savings; zero reform.

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