Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Now that they are in power, they are doing exactly what they castigated us for doing in 2010. They are doing this without shame, sorrow or apology to the people for breaking their solemn pre-election promises. It is outrageous and shameful and the electorate will reap a sorry revenge on Fine Gael and, in particular, the Labour Party.

The motion is the right decision to make in the country's interests. For this reason, Fianna Fáil will support it. The Minister for Finance has no option but to table this motion, just as the former Minister, Mr. Brian Lenihan, had no option but to take this decision in November 2010. At that time, the Fine Gael and Labour parties did not view the national interest as being important. They saw their electoral and personal interests as being more important. We rise to support the motion, but if anyone should choose to challenge it, we will facilitate a division to show the hypocrites in the Government parties for what they are. They said one thing before an election but another thing once they got into government.

In the context of decisions such as these, the current Tánaiste alleged that Mr. Brian Cowen was an economic traitor and that Fianna Fáil was guilty of economic treachery. The definition of treachery is "a breach of trust". Consider all of the trust the Government has broken in terms of health, possibly child benefit, and the property tax that it opposed before the election. The electorate will give its verdict. Nowadays in politics, people are educated, inform themselves and know what is happening. They are watching what promises are made and examining what people are doing in office. Judging by the opinion polls, they are not happy.

We will support this motion because it is in the interests of Ireland and the Irish people, but it is right to recall the utter hypocrisy of the Fine Gael and Labour parties.