'Promising the moon without a plan to pay for it' says Tipperary TD on current government
Outgoing Independent TD Mattie McGrath criticizes Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for urging prudence while promising massive spending
While Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin warns of the need for caution in spending, he simultaneously proposes a 33% increase in public spending over the next government term - far exceeding Ireland's fiscal rule limit of 5%.
"Ireland's fiscal rule mandates an annual maximum budget spending increase of 5% of GDP to keep reckless spending in check," McGrath stated.
"Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are engaging in auction politics, promising the moon without a plan to pay for it," he continued. "Over the last five years, they have over-promised and under-delivered. Their reckless spending promises will inevitably lead to either higher taxes or increased national debt, putting our future at risk."
He emphasized that this government is adept at making promises but poor at keeping them: "The people of Tipperary South deserve better than empty rhetoric and political games. We need a government that prioritizes fiscal responsibility and invests wisely in our communities."
McGrath warned that the current trajectory is unsustainable: "If we continue down this path, we risk repeating past mistakes that led to economic turmoil. It's time to hold Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael accountable for their actions and demand real solutions that benefit all citizens—not just political ambitions."
"Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about numbers on a balance sheet. It’s about families struggling to make ends meet, young people facing an uncertain future, and communities left behind. We need a government that listens to the people, not one that plays party politics with our livelihoods."