Norma Foley backs government in confidence vote
Norma Foley addressed the Dáil to explain why she will support the government's motion of confidence this afternoon, citing a succession of global shocks and rising inflation that are affecting households. She argued that a stable, measured government is required to protect earnings and to manage public finances responsibly while delivering multiple budgets in line with the democratic mandate.
Norma Foley listed recent geopolitical and economic crises - Brexit, COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, US trade tariffs and military action involving the United States and Iran - and highlighted how each has driven up prices from groceries to fuel. She said inflation is hurting everyone and has reduced people’s spending power.
Foley set out that the government is providing supports to cushion the inflationary blow, but only within the limits of responsible public finance management. She emphasised the unpredictable and volatile nature of global affairs and warned that further shocks could arrive at any time.
Arguing for stability, Foley said a secure government is needed to deliver not one but multiple budgets in line with its mandate. In that context she announced her decision to support the motion of confidence this afternoon as a means to ensure continuity and measured governance.
Foley framed the vote as a choice about protecting household incomes and maintaining a steady policy environment capable of responding to future economic shocks. Her remarks underline the trade-off between political contest and continuity in a time of uncertainty.
Global shocks and rising costs
Norma Foley listed recent geopolitical and economic crises - Brexit, COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, US trade tariffs and military action involving the United States and Iran - and highlighted how each has driven up prices from groceries to fuel. She said inflation is hurting everyone and has reduced people’s spending power.
Government response and fiscal limits
Foley set out that the government is providing supports to cushion the inflationary blow, but only within the limits of responsible public finance management. She emphasised the unpredictable and volatile nature of global affairs and warned that further shocks could arrive at any time.
Why she will support the motion
Arguing for stability, Foley said a secure government is needed to deliver not one but multiple budgets in line with its mandate. In that context she announced her decision to support the motion of confidence this afternoon as a means to ensure continuity and measured governance.
Implications for households and policy
Foley framed the vote as a choice about protecting household incomes and maintaining a steady policy environment capable of responding to future economic shocks. Her remarks underline the trade-off between political contest and continuity in a time of uncertainty.
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Transcript
Comhairle, this is a time of global uncertainty and a time of great difficulty and anxiety for all of society. I am more than conscious of the impact that a series of geopolitical shocks have had on people's earnings and their spending power. Inflation hurts everyone. Each crisis – Brexit, COVID-19, Ukraine, Gaza, US trade tariffs, the military action by Israel and the United States against Iran – each one has had a damaging impact on the prices of everyday items, ranging from the weekly shop to clothing prices to topping up at the fuel pump. Táiseach an ofach in aimsir na géir céamai go bhfuil gá le realtas cósí, dheangin agus slán sa bháilte. Realtas a choirleagair fáil ní bhosé do bhfáin, ach gá, trí, cera agus cúig bhfoséidh do réir amondáidh dhéan leatha chomh bobl. We know, in times of crisis, there is a need for a stable and secure government. A government which will deliver not one, but two, three, four and five budgets in line with its democratic mandate from the people. This government is providing supports to cushion the inflationary blow insofar as is possible within the limits of responsible management of the public finances, always mindful of the unpredictable and volatile nature of global affairs which could lead to further economic shocks at any time in the future. Maire Déirmeidh, ní héileann ghaoithe, lá na Scáilabh. In these challenging times, responsible, stable and measured government is what is required. This government is delivering just that, and for that reason I will support the motion of confidence this afternoon.