Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State was here as were my officials who took notes. I was anxious to get here myself. When the debate was scheduled I did not realise that events would require me to be in the other House this morning. This is the third occasion on which I have debated this issue in this House and I do not believe there are any views I have not already heard. I have listened to every comment made since my arrival and my staff have taken notes of everything that has been said. I fully acknowledge the bona fides of everybody who speaks in this House. Everybody speaks with passion, belief and integrity. There is no falsehood or contrivance about the views expressed here, which is a comfort in some ways because I cannot say that is always the case in all the debates I attend. That is why it is important for me to listen and it is also important for me to hear.

The role I was given just over two years ago is a daunting one - I do not believe anyone in the House would gainsay that. However, it needs to be put in context again. In 2010, the year before we came into office, the deficit of the State was 32.4% of GDP. That was shocking and disastrous - it was the worst on the planet. I was interested to hear Senator Bradford say that we did not take advantage of the immediate aftermath. During the negotiations for the programme for Government I was not sure if there was a path back from the brink. We have steadily with resolve and determination done more in two years than I believe any government has done in the history of the State. It is because of the breadth of support the two parties in government have that we can do things that are politically extremely difficult. I say that by way of context because in every issue presented to me, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, nothing is black or white. It is lovely to be a purist about these matters.