8 extracts from the Programme for Government Labour and FG should re-read

In 2011, Fianna Fáil was swept from power and the Fine Gael/Labour Coalition promised a new era of politics. Here are eight key extracts from the "Statement of Common Purpose" at the start of the Programme for Government document, published following the formation of the Coalition:

- On the 25th February a democratic revolution took place in Ireland. Old beliefs, traditions and expectations were blown away. The stroke of a pen, in thousands of polling stations, created this political whirlwind.

- The public demanded change and looked to parties that would deliver the change they sought.

- The people chose our two parties to begin mending the pieces of a fractured society, a broken economy and to provide a sense of collective hope in our shared future.

- But the old ways, the old politics that created the crisis from which we seek to release ourselves from, will not do. Both our parties have long recognised this reality and we campaigned hard and sought and secured a clear mandate to break from the past and start anew.

- With this in mind new ways, new approaches and new thinking will form the constant backdrop to the coalition’s style of governance. In all the major areas of public life this determination to modernise, renew and transform our country will be evident over time as our shared programme is implemented.

- There is a clear need for our political system to embrace change, share the burden and lead by example. Every section of our society is facing hardship. Our political system, if it is to regain credibility and relevance, must change too.

- The Government for National Recovery faces an historic challenge. The trust of the nation has been invested in it. It is committed to honouring that trust. At all times it will meet each task guided and informed by some words first spoken by Albert Einstein: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."

- Our country deserves a fresh start from the failed politics of the years past. It also deserves a new hope that a new Government guided by the needs of the many rather than the greed of the few can make a real, positive difference in their lives.