Shane Ross (Independent)

First, I wish to take up a point made by Senator Ó Murchú regarding this plan. He divided it in a quite interesting fashion, namely, into the past and the present. He stated that this debate was a recognition of the great success enjoyed by the Government in the past and I believe he referred to it as being a celebration of the future.

While I agree with the first statement I do not agree with the second. Although they regard it as being their duty, it is fatuous for Members of the Opposition to tackle the Government on the grounds of past mismanagement of the economy. When they refer to the waste of money or value for money, they are clutching at straws that are perfectly legitimate, albeit reasonably minor in the overall context. Members should recognise that overall, the economy has been superbly managed by a succession of administrations that happen not to be of the Opposition view. Many Independent Members have done so in the past. The Government has done well, the fruits are there for all to see and it did not make a mess of a situation in which there was a potential to so do. This should also be recognised.

However, some might suggest this plan is visionary. To me it is pretty fanciful and resembles a spending programme——