OPPOSITION VIEWS:IT WAS absolute rubbish for Ministers to claim that the public would not accept harsh measures because they did not fully realise the difficult situation the economy was in, Olivia Mitchell (FG) claimed.

“The public know exactly the position the country is in,” said Ms Mitchell.

“They know this from their reduced weekly wage packages, the loss of pensions and savings, negative equity, lost jobs and the loss of expectations for themselves and their children.’’ She said the public would not accept solutions from the Government they believed caused the problems.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan accused Opposition parties of playing politics.

“The wonderland schools of Deputy Kenny’s economics and Deputy Gilmore’s spin gave the impression that the public would not have to face painful taxation, or spending and service provision changes under an opposition administration,” said Ms Coughlan. “It is a privilege of being on the other side of the House.’’ She insisted that the policies being pursued by the Government were correct.

“They are clearly not policies designed for short-term political gain,’’ she added.

Brendan Howlin (Labour) said he had spoken on several confidence motions through the years, and, normally, they fell into one of two categories.

The majority were probably pro forma motions because of significant or individual events.

“However, others are profoundly important and serious and without a shadow of a doubt, this debate falls into the latter category,’’ he added. “It is one of the most important confidence debates in which I have ever participated.” Mr Howlin said that the State never needed a change of government more than now.

Fergus O’Dowd (FG) accused the junior Coalition party of being the “green mulch rather than the Green Party”.