'Remarkable turnaround' in economy says Howlin

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin declared “a remarkable turnaround” in Ireland's fortunes, which he said was a tribute to the resilience of the Irish people.

But he was heckled from the Opposition benches when he dismissed claims of increased inequality under the Fine Gael/Labour coalition.

“It has become popular to say that under this Government, inequality has risen. This is simply not true,” he said to jeers from across the chamber.