Garret’s government set scene for growth

IN his letter (April 14), Paul O’Connor blames Garret FitzGerald for what was wrong in the 1980s.

Perhaps he doesn’t know FitzGerald inherited a bankrupt economy from a Fianna Fáil government. A mess caused by Fianna Fáil’s 1977 manifesto, which so many people voted for, and by the misrule of the GUBU government that followed Haughey’s election as party leader.

Let’s not forget Haughey was staunchly supported by Bertie Ahern and the fathers of Brian Cowen, Brian Lenihan, Mary Coughlan and Mary Hanafin.

Perhaps Mr O’Connor doesn’t remember that, in 1982, inflation was nearly 20%, but by 1987 it was down to 3%. Perhaps he doesn’t remember GDP and GNP tripled between 1982 and 1987.

Perhaps he doesn’t understand all of that took great skill and put in place the solid foundations upon which the prosperity that followed was built, until those foundation were ripped to pieces by another crony Fianna Fáil government. With the benefit of hindsight, of course, that FitzGerald government could have done all manner of things better. However, if Mr O’Connor seriously thinks things would not have been even worse with Fianna Fáil back in office from 1982, then he is seriously mistaken. It’s interesting how despite FitzGerald “ruining” the country he retains a level of respect that a Fianna Fáil leader can only dream about.

Is that because he was such a bad leader or because people know he did the best he could with the little available?

I hope Mr O’Connor and people like him are able to look their children or grandchildren in the eye and deny they had any role in creating the mess the country now faces. Did Mr O’Conror ever vote for Fianna Fáil or the PDs?

Desmond FitzGerald

Canary Wharf

London