Gerald Nash (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Just eight days after the Taoiseach was made aware of the phenomenal cost overrun in the development of the national children's hospital, he took to the stage at Fine Gael's well choreographed Ard-Fheis and told the public that they could expect to have €3 billion in tax cuts over the next few years. What kind of fiscal responsibility is that? Moreover, what kind of social responsibility is that?

Last week, I giggled when I saw a Fine Gael Deputy progressing his ticket touting legislation by engaging the services of an actor to play the role of Del Boy. The reality is that the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform are playing the role of Del Boy in terms of how flaithiúlach they are with the public finances. They are spending people's money like it is going out of fashion on an out-of-control public hospital. That is a fact. I echo what some of my colleagues have said, namely, that if Fianna Fáil has a problem with this, it knows what to do. Fianna Fáil is as responsible for the issue as the Fine Gael Party. It is propping up the Fine Gael-Independent Alliance Government.