Dooley admits Government mistakes

WITH intense speculation that the talks between the Government, the IMF, European Central Bank and the European Commission will lead to a financial bail-out, there has been an air of despondency hanging over Irish public discourse this week.

While Clare’s opposition politicians are putting the blame firmly at the feet of the Government, Clare TD Timmy Dooley said there are significant international factors at play.
“There has been a serious attack on the euro by international markets. Greece was targeted first, Ireland is being targeted now and in time, Portugal, Spain and Italy probably will be. For that reason, it’s clear to me that the Commission are working to protect the euro.”
Deputy Dooley acknowledged that the Government has made mistakes but he claimed they had been badly advised. “What I would say is that there have been mistakes made by senior members of the Government but it’s easy to say that with the benefit of hindsight. The decisions were carried out on the basis of the best advice available but we must accept that mistakes have been made.”
He also launched a broadside at the stance of Opposition parties, which he said would have led the country to an even worse pass.
“Clearly, no one made decisions expecting to get where we are right now. The position of the Opposition throughout was that they sought to have the State spend more money and that would have exacerbated the problems.”
Deputy Dooley was also very critical of the banks, whose reckless lending, he claimed, played a significant part in creating the country’s difficulties.
Fine Gael TD Pat Breen said the country’s political system hasn’t failed but the Government has let the country down and he accused them of dishonesty.
“The Government, rather than the political system, has failed Ireland. For far too long, the Government has been in denial and now some honesty is needed. About two months ago they were saying that a €7 billion adjustment would be needed in the next few years. Then we were told that it would be up to €6 billion this year. They have lost credibility with the people, with Europe and with the bond markets.”
He denied that Fine Gael had advocated similar financial policies to the Government and said that former finance spokesperson Richard Bruton had been critical of successive budgets.
Deputy Breen said a change of Government would help restore credibility and that the UK’s economy had benefited from the accession of the Tories after a long spell of Labour government.
His party colleague, Deputy Joe Carey, also said that the Government’s budgetary policy had been opposed by Fine Gael, while he said it is important that the public are kept in the loop. “The Government needs to be honest, to tell people what’s happening and the implications of it. There is a need for honesty with the people and that hasn’t happened to date.”