Fianna Fáil are working hard to mislead the public on the management of the public finances – proving that a leopard never changes its spots, a Fine Gael TD has said.

TD for Dublin North West, Noel Rock has today (Monday) criticised Fianna Fáil for misleading the public on Fine Gael’s track record on managing the public finances.

“The Fine Gael-led Government has steered this country onto a path of economic recovery and growth: Fine Gael has overseen Ireland reaching record employment levels and balancing the books to prepare the country for further growth. A Rainy Day Fund has also been established to ensure that we can cope with any shocks that arise.

“All this has been achieved while investing in key projects that will serve the county well into the future,” he said.

“By contrast Fianna Fáil’s mismanagement of the economy was reckless and left the country facing a deep recession with no plan B. To avoid a return to that type of financial crisis Fine Gael established the Fiscal Advisory Council to serve as an independent fiscal watchdog to monitor how the public purse is spent.

“Fianna Fáil, however, have continued this method of electioneering style politics, making vague spending promises and pledging unsustainable investment. These pledges alone last year would cost a conservative €3.5bn, with absolutely no hint as to where that money would come from. It would seem a leopard never changes its spots,” he said.

“Fianna Fáil are still promising to throw money at any and every issue that arises, but despite this they are looking to promote themselves as a prudent party when it’s clear to everyone they are anything but.

“Fianna Fáil may have a short memory when it comes to their own track record in office but the public don’t. This latest election stunt won’t hide the fact that Fianna Fáil can’t be trusted with managing taxpayer’s money.”