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

Confidence motions have a long history in Dáil Éireann. They are intended as a mechanism for stepping away from day-to-day arguments and focusing on the fundamental work of government. For much of the past century, they were tabled by Oppositions seeking to offer a systematic alternative to the Government. They were an opportunity to address the full range of economic, social and international issues facing our country, look beyond one or two issues and present a broader programme. Unfortunately, the reality is this debate has yet again shown today's Opposition has abandoned any effort to offer a comprehensive alternative and that it simply will not engage with the broad range of issues our modern society and economy face. In the place of an alternative, all we have from members of the Opposition are soundbites intended only to exploit the very real concerns of people on particular points while ignoring the overwhelming majority of issues and the actions taken by the Government to address them. In the face of the complex problems, they offer empty soundbites full of cynical empathy. By their silence on many fundamental issues, they clearly understand they have no alternative.

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