Joan Burton urges public to re-elect current coalition; 'We inherited a ruin and we rebuilt it'
Tánaiste Joan Burton has urged the public to re-elect the current coalition if it wants what she says is the economic recovery to continue, saying "we inherited a ruin and we rebuilt it".
The Labour leader made the call for votes moments after a symbolic parting of ways between her and Taoiseach Enda Kenny outside Government Buildings at 10.30am this morning.
Speaking to reporters as Mr Kenny was driven away to Áras an Uachtaráin to formally inform President Michael D Higgins he is dissolving the Dáil for a Friday February 26 election date, Ms Burton said Fine Gael and Labour should be returned to power.
"The real test of any government is whether they leave the country in a better place and I will say with the Fine Gael-Labour Government we have definitely done that. We inherited a ruin and we rebuilt it.
"Yesterday's unemployment figures are down to 8.6% from a high of over 15%, that is a real indication people all over Ireland are getting back to work.
"That's happening not just in city areas but right across the country," she said, adding the coalition has been "a very united government".
Despite opposition accusations the way in which Mr Kenny informed the Dáil of the election this morning Ms Burton defended the Fine Gael leader.
The formal move has been criticised as no vote was taken, no opposition statements were allowed and the Dáil was not informed of the date of the vote, leading one TD joking outside "sure Alan Kelly's going to decide that" as he is Environment Minister and must formally sign the legislation.
However, responding to Sinn Féin claims the Dáil proceedings "a pathetic end to a pathetic Dáil", the Labour leader said what Mr Kenny did was "exactly right" and was "exactly how it is outlined", before noting ex-taoiseach Bertie Ahern "dropped into the Dáil" to do it in previous years.
Asked if the parting of the Government parties this morning is her last photo-call outside Government Buildings, Ms Burton noted this week is Seachtain Meabhdh Bhride and that she takes inspiration from this.
"She was a very powerful woman and role model in early Irish history. I'm delighted to be the first woman leader of Labour, the response is strong and I'm very confident we will re-elect this Government.
"It's been a great privilege to have served in Government, to have been Tánaiste, and it's now in the hands of the people," she said.
Ms Burton will attend a Labour party briefing this afternoon before travelling with candidates in their constituencies.
