Opposition parties ignore the facts
Their allegations overflow the bounds of decency. Their negative response of a balanced debate reinforces the view that their argument is devoid of anything positive.
This Government is comprised of sensible men and women setting out to achieve fundamental reforms, who are not confined to any political straightjackets.
Labour’s health spokeswoman, Liz McManus, and Fine Gael’s health spokeswoman, Olivia Mitchell, claimed the National Health Strategy “has been jettisoned”. The Opposition accuse the Government of deceit and evasion and undermining faith in the political system and fuelling public cynicism about politics.
But we are faced today with serious choices and with grave responsibility. To these issues there are no short cuts. It should be stated from all those who hold leadership positions of one kind or another that no one group holds a monopoly on the subject of economic policy.
But it would be utter folly for us to ignore the ramifications that will follow if we don’t get our economy into shape. If in the past there was certain reticence in this regard for fear of being misunderstood, I maintain that is a luxury long since past and the time now has arrived for everyone to stand up and be counted.
Michael J Stokes,
2, Willington Green,
Templeogue,
Dublin 6W.
