Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

Honesty also demands that Members do not pretend the difficulties the economy now faces are of an international making. An international crisis did not build huge spending programmes on the back of property revenues that never were sustainable. An international crisis did not make Ireland the most expensive country in Europe. International forces have not caused Ireland to slide 17 places in the competitiveness rankings or have not seen our exports lose market share for five consecutive years. The outgoing Government simply has lost sight of what it takes to survive as a small open economy trading overseas in tough competitive markets. This is the reason change is on the agenda and should be on the agenda of every Member who will vote on what is to be done later today.

Ireland combines areas of outstanding achievement side by side with massive unfulfilled potential. The perpetuation of a certain style of Government is at the heart of our problems. Ireland does not lack for talent, least of all in the public sector. The shortcomings on view today stem from a failure to change a system that was designed for an Ireland that passed away 50 years ago. The Ireland this style of Government has created is not a good place in which to be homeless, autistic, suicidal or chronically ill and in need of a bed. It is not a good place in which to be black. Members must confront the reason such people are let down by the State. It is a betrayal to pretend that failings that have happened far from the centre of Government Buildings are not ultimately political failings for which this House must be accountable.

It would be facile, to quote the Minister for Finance, to stand up in this House and list all the money spent and all the extra staff employed without asking the reason that today, frail sick people are sitting on trolleys in the Mater Hospital in cramped, crowded and unacceptable conditions. It would be facile not to ask the reason a bewildered family with a child racked by depression can get no help. Members must ask such questions today because this is the day on which they set out their priorities for the future.

How can a public service, which Members are told is so well endowed with resources, turn its back on such people? It is not because knaves run our public services but because we have trapped compassionate people in a system that is failing them. How can one consider this record of so many people having been let down without feeling there now is a need for a new vision, radical change and total renewal? It is delusion to talk of parties being the embodiment of the nation and not clamour for a new direction now in the face of those difficulties. It is hollow to elevate the virtue of loyalty and ask us to persist along the same road. In the face of persistent refusal to recognise and make changes, loyalty is a much diminished virtue in my book.

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