We face a ‘two-tier recovery’

The country faces a “two-tier recovery” with many being left behind while others prosper, the Fianna Fáil leader said in his televised address on the bailout exit.

Micheál Martin did not acknowledge his party’s role in presiding over policies that resulted in the economic collapse, or in seeking external assistance in Nov 2010. But he said “important progress has been achieved over the past five years” through “the hard work of the Irish people”.

The opposition was given the opportunity to respond to Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s televised address on Sunday night in which he said the exit of the bailout was a signal that Ireland was “fighting back”.