Anyone who studies the basics of economics knows that it is about booms and troughs rather than what party is in power – be it Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil. Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats happened to be in Government when pensions were increased. This is hardly surprising given the economic boom. Of course Fine Gael was not in a position to hand out as much as the last Government because when that party was in Government we were in a trough. We need to be honest as political parties and stop attacking one another about the events of 15 years ago or two months ago. We need to get to grips with the realities of economics, to talk about social inclusion in holistic terms and work with all Departments in harmony – Education and Science, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs – to examine how we can make a sustainably more equal society and look to the long term rather than to this election or the next.