FG accuses Government of 'letting country down'

The Government "has led the country down a path which has sapped the strength of what was the pride of Europe," Fine Gael deputy leader and spokesman on finance Richard Bruton said today.

Speaking at the launch of a new post-Budget campaign in Dublin this morning, Mr Bruton claimed the Government was responsible for creating unsustainable economic conditions.

Fine Gael has promised to take its message of change to the people with the launch of its €100,000 'Government Mistakes. You Pay.’ campaign which includes 30 regional meetings and online video ads.

A new website (www.fairerbudget.com) has also been set up which outlines the party's alternative Budget and includes an online feedback facility to receive comments and reaction fro the general public.

Mr Bruton claimed the Government wasn't brave enough to make the reforms necessary to aid economic recovery.

"The stark economic reality is that this Government has led us down a path which has sapped the strength of what was the pride of Europe, indeed perhaps the pride of the world some short years ago," said Mr Bruton.

"(The economy) was built on high productivity, very strong export growth, growing employment on the back of economic advantage and they destroyed that model. Instead they created boom circumstances which were built on a property bubble, on sustainable expansion on public spending and on cuts which were way out of line with the rest of the world," he added.

Mr Bruton claimed the Budget had done nothing to aid economic revival but had instead placed the burden on the vulnerable.

"The Government stands condemned for a policy that has seriously undermined the capacity of this country to withstand the tougher times we now face," he said.

Also speaking at the campaign launch, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the Government had shown "weak and indecisive leadership".

Mr Kenny described the party's latest campaign as "a strategy adopted to bring our message to the people".

"Clearly there is a mood out there to change and its' the challenge of the Fine Gael party in particular to rise to that challenge and that's part of the reason why we're doing this campaign," he said.

"We are taking our views to the country both to listen to their views and consult with them to tell them how we feel there is a better way to develop a much stronger level of involvement by people in our society as distinct from merely an economic analysis," he added.

Mr Kenny said he did not know whether the Government coalition would survive but said that the party's electoral machine was in place and that party members had been told to "be prepared".