Former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar urges the EU to "stop smashing the club rules" and return to fiscal conservatism

By Matthew Barrett
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José María Aznar, who was the Prime Minister of Spain from 1996 until 2004, and a member of the centre-right People's Party, has written for the Times today (£). Aznar, who holds Europhile views, criticises the way European Union member states deviated from the strict fiscal rules they were expected to abide by, leading to the economic woes which now face several member states.

Firstly, Aznar welcomes European leaders waking up from "a denial of reality": "Europe’s political leaders are finally acknowledging the reality of the debt crisis suffered by some eurozone countries. This change of attitude is good news. Until last week’s summit, the European political consensus was a denial of reality, embellished with a large amount of rhetoric and appeals to a false sense of European solidarity."

Garret Fitzgerald helped to shape the modern Ireland which the Queen is visiting

Zoe Healy formerly worked as the Conservative Party Chairman’s Press Officer (to Theresa May and Francis Maude).  She also worked for four years with the Fine Gael Press Office under former Taoiseach John Bruton, and returned from the UK to work with Enda Kenny during the 2007 General Election campaign.  She provides PR consultancy and training in Dublin through her business, zenith pr.

The tricolor is flying at half mast this afternoon at Government buildings in Dublin as we learn of the sad passing of our former Taoiseach and Leader of Fine Gael, Dr Garrett Fitzgerald.  He died after a short illness and was 85.

He would have loved to have been present in Dublin Castle last night as the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, hosted a state dinner to mark the momentous visit of Queen Elizabeth II.  It would have marked the culmination of his political life’s work to see our two countries treat each other with respect and as friends.  Indeed, it was Dr Fitzgerald who initiated the movement to bring tolerance and respect to our islands, end sectarianism and violence, and begin a crusade towards reconciliation.

Dr Fitzgerald played a huge role in Irish politics, particularly in the 1970s and 80s. He was first elected Leader of Fine Gael in 1977, and served twice as Taoiseach between 1981 and 1987. Many tributes today have referred to his commitment to his vision for Ireland and his integrity in realising it.  He never allowed personal differences to get in the way of what he set out to achieve and was genuinely admired fondly by all in the Fine Gael Party.

Zoe Louise Healy: Fine Gael's big Irish victory

Zoe is a former Conservative Party Chairman’s Press Officer (for Theresa May and Francis Maude). She also worked for four years with the Fine Gael Press Office under former Taoiseach John Bruton and returned from the UK to work with Enda Kenny during the 2007 General Election campaign.  She provides PR consultancy and training in Dublin through her business, www.zenithpr.ie.

This weekend’s Irish General Election has been a fascinating victory for Fine Gael and a momentous occasion in our history.  This has been an election like no other, with unprecedented global media interest in its outcome.

It was clear from early tallies yesterday morning that the Fianna Fáil vote was collapsing. Their government partners, the Green Party also suffered its darkest day, failing to secure a single seat.

It is difficult to grasp just how poor Fianna Fáil has performed in this election. They suffered their worst election in the history of the State plunging from a 41.6% share of the vote and 77 seats in 2007 to a miserable 17% with roughly 20 seats (tbc) in this election. As one political commentator put it, the Irish have rioted in the ballot box.

Thirteen Ministers have lost their seats and the party have just one TD in the capital, the former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan. Interestingly, this election also marks an end to the Haughey dynasty with Sean Haughey losing his seat Dublin North Central.

In contrast, Sinn Fein has doubled its representation in the Dáil, picking up a number of seats in the cities and are celebrating the election of Gerry Adams to a third parliament. With relish, the 31st Dáil will be a parliament that he will attend.