Between 150 and 200 people in UCC last night watched four local Oireachtas members debate the main topics facing the country. The debate was to decide if a viable alternative Government existed.

The debate was addressed by Fine Gael’s Deirdre Clune TD & Labour’s Ciarán Lynch TD speaking in support of an alternative Government. Fianna Fáil Minister Micheál Martin TD and Green Senator Dan Boyle spoke in support of the current Government.

I was delighted to have an opportunity to outline Fine Gael’s ambitious and bold vision for Ireland. I spoke about our policies on a number of issues from job creation and the unemployment crisis to political reform and the need for a Bank Inquiry.

Alone among the political parties represented on the night we had detailed policy platforms on a number of issues.

The UCC Law Society should be congratulated for providing a forum where as Public Representatives from different political parties we could outline our policies and priorities and the public could ask questions. This type of debate is far too rare in Irish politics.

I think everyone involved last night came away from the meeting with a better understanding of where Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Labour and the Greens stood on the issues we all face.

I am of course delighted that in the vote after the debate the vast majority of people there last night supported the belief that there is a real alternative to the current Government.