Labour slams 'worst Govt in Irish history'

Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte has described the Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrats coalition as the worst Government in Irish history.

Launching an assessment of the Government's performance over the past year, Mr Rabbitte said ministers had broken dozens of promises made ahead of last May's General Election.

He also challenged the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to a live television debate on the matter.

The Labour leader said: "In its first year in office, [the Government] has broken dozens of promises, attempted to distort its record, launched a series of savage attacks on essential spending and expected the most vulnerable people in our society to bear the cost of their incompetent economic management.

"The thought that Ireland has to endure four more years of this incompetent, hypocritical and dishonest Government is unthinkable."