Bertie needs to take a new look at the Rainbow
In response to the recent meeting in Mullingar of Fine Gael and Labour leaders, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has made particular reference to what he sees as the inability of the leaders of any alternative government to manage a successful economy.
As quoted (Irish Examiner, September 6), Mr Ahern said of the Rainbow: “When they last had the chance, this country was nearly down the tubes.”
It seems that the Taoiseach has a very short memory, as his recollection of their period in office is at variance with the facts.
When Fine Gael and Labour were in government from 1994-1997, the Irish economy was booming.
The Rainbow government was the first in 27 years to return a budget surplus, and inflation was at a record low of 1.6%.
Tourism revenues increased at a rate of 12%, and exports rose to over 80% of GDP while Enda Kenny was Minister for Tourism and Trade. While Richard Bruton was Minister for Enterprise and Employment, 1,000 jobs were being created every week.
There was a 40% increase in investment by the State in science and technology while Pat Rabbitte was minister with responsibility in that area.
The overall number of house completions rose by 15% while Liz McManus was minister of state for housing.
The Taoiseach also dubbed the Fine Gael/Labour alliance as the “axis of taxes” in an attempt to portray any alternative government as an administration of high taxation.
It seems Mr Ahern has no sense of irony.
As has been demonstrated recently by Eddie Hobbs and others, Ireland is not the low-tax haven that Fianna Fáil claim it is. In fact, just this week Richard Bruton highlighted the fact that every household in Ireland is paying €5,500 more in stealth and spending taxes than the Government is willing to admit publicly.
In a climate where families and small business are being strangled by such taxes, any attempt to present the FF/PD Government as the low tax option simply doesn’t add up, just as any attempt to discredit the achievements of the Rainbow government will not wash with the electorate.
Barry Walsh
96 Brooklawn
Clontarf
Dublin 3
