Hannigan attacks economists 'Mission Accomplished' remarks

Labour's Meath East TD Dominic Hannigan has attacked economist David McWilliams over his 'Mission Accomplished' remarks.

Deputy Hannigan stated: 'The comparison by David McWilliams of Ireland’s exit of the bailout to George W Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” declaration in 2003 on the bridge of the USS Abraham Lincoln, is at best disingenuous and at worst, irresponsible.

'I just wonder what newspapers David McWilliams has been reading, whose twitter feed he is following and what TV shows he has viewing that has given him the impression that the Government believes that our economic mission has been accomplished?

The deputy asked what ministers, have been out proclaiming victory against the forces of the Troika, and what backbenchers have been out claiming triumph in the face of economic adversity.

'The answer of course is none. Actually I haven’t seen anybody hype this up as much as David McWilliams himself. The fact of the matter is that the exit of the bailout is a step – maybe even a significant step – on the long road to national recovery, but that is all, and this weekend, it will be marked accordingly in a measured and restrained manner.

'There will be no grandstanding on the bow of a ship, there will be no flag-waving pageantry and there will be no triumphalism.'

Deputy Hannigan stated: 'Ireland is making progress towards national recovery, and not even David McWilliams can deny that. However, until we have brought unemployment way down, until our banking system can manifestly stand on its own two feet, and until we can begin to ease the pressure that has been placed on hard-pressed families since 2008, then no Mr McWilliams, we will not be claiming that it is 'mission accomplished'.