Opinion

Shane Coleman: Best days are over for Leo and his coalition as election looms

Our expectations have become unmanageable, but political parties over-promising to the electorate is a recipe for economic meltdown

Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport; Tanaiste Micheál Martin; Taoiseach Leo Varadkar; and Michael McGrath, Minister for Finance: ‘No tax cut, no welfare raise, no increase in expenditure, current or capital, will ever be enough for the general public’

“Your worst day in government is better than your best day in opposition,” was the memorable text sent by Mary Harney to her cabinet colleague John Gormley during one of the many dark days of the crash.

Its disclosure brought knowing smiles all across the political spectrum. It may have been the worst of economic and political times for that Fianna Fáil-Green-Independents coalition that finally collapsed in early 2011. But the consensus view was that ...