James Bannon (Fine Gael)

For Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats it is all about the present. It is all about very significant increases in spending, about the economy as a goal in itself and about living in the moment. The result has been a very significant increase in personal wealth, which is a good thing, but a massive waste in everything from the health services to education. After all the years of prosperity, there is very little of lasting value to show for it.

The Opposition parties take the view that prosperity should mean something. Far from being a fleeting imprint on the current balance sheet, that prosperity should be about making lasting changes to our country and its people. Examples include the following: a metro in Dublin; a rail link to every airport; an airport for the midlands; a motorway network that works; public transport that results in fewer journeys by car; an end to hospital waiting lists; an end to social housing waiting lists; improving Ireland's international reputation in order to attract foreign investment; and an end to poverty.

Laden down by the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats approach, the country has none of the aforementioned. Rush-hour speeds in Dublin have fallen to an average of 10 mph, which is a drop of 12%. The time it takes to get from Malahide to the city centre has more than doubled between 1991 and 2004, from 30 minutes to 70 minutes.