Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I have many quotes. In the middle of the election campaign on 11 February 2011, Deputy Eamon Gilmore said the agreement had to be renegotiated. I am sorry this will emphasise the Labour Party because I have some from Fine Gael also. On 11 February Deputy Eamon Gilmore said there was a pile of stealth taxes contained in the Fine Gael Party document - €21 per month for a family with two children and child benefit, an increase in car tax, water charges, and a 2% increase in VAT and a social welfare cut.

The Fine Gael press conference took place on 18 February. Fine Gael in its pre Christmas budget submission set out the areas it would not cut back: the disabled, pensions, carers and the blind. On 19 February, RTE news stated that child benefit would not be cut and Deputy Eamon Gilmore and the Labour Party would not agree to have child benefit cut any further On 21 February, he said third level fees was a red line issue. In regard to child benefit cuts Deputy Eamon Gilmore said families had suffered enough as it was and had seen their pay packets plundered. On 22 February, under the heading, "Protecting Families", Deputy Eamon Gilmore said the budget that really mattered in the election was the family budget, the household budget. The economics that really mattered in the election were the home economics. The things that really matter to families is whether the next government will work for children and do the right thing for the next generation. Now the Government wonders why it is so unpopular. It is because it fooled the people and is so doing the people voted for the Government.