Forget the Budget caution: If you can't be sure of winning the election, try buying it

The Rainbow Coalition's fiscal responsibility and caution was such that Bertie Ahern and Mary Harney won the 1997 election for Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats.

Ivan Yates

Despite pre-election promises to abolish hundreds of quangos, this Government established a new independent body, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, on a statutory footing to legislate a basis for fiscal responsibility.

Never again would politicians be permitted to prostitute themselves for electoral gain, ensuring independent compliance with disciplined fiscal rules.