Opposition attacks 'litany of failures'
The Government was accused today of a litany of failures and broken promises during its first year in power.
Opposition politicians said it had shown a “naked disregard” for the commitments made to the electorate during the election campaign.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said: “This Government is a sham and has failed the people.
“Where is the responsibility in letting public finances spiral out of control?
“Where is the honour in reneging on promise after promise to the very people that invested their trust in those hollow pledges one year ago?”
He was speaking at a “Broken Promises” photocall held to mark the anniversary of the general election, after which the current Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrats coalition came into power.
Mr Kenny accused Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s leadership of a “gross mismanagement” of the public finances.
He said it could not deliver in areas such as health, education and justice.
Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael’s health spokesperson, said those who depended on the health service were completely disillusioned.
She said: “People have lost confidence in the Government’s ability to sustain the service.
“The Government has shown a lack of leadership and a lack of planning and structure.
“That is why the public feel betrayed.”
Members of Fine Gael posed in central Dublin holding broken-up sections of a banner marked “Promises“.
