Statement by George Lee released by the Fine Gael press office today:
"Throughout the past 17 years I have been employed by RTE where I have been Economics Editor for most of that time. It has been a huge privilege and an honour to have performed this role. Through news reports and current affairs documentaries and analysis on both television and radio I have spoken directly and impartially to people as clearly as I could. Always I have done my best to keep the public fully informed and up to date about the economy.
“As danger loomed larger I consistently highlighted the risks of inaction and complacency. These warnings were ignored. Instead the Government chose to portray them as an effort to talk down the economy. It is now too late to warn, too late to turn back the clock, too late to undo the damage that has been done to countless victims of this economic crash. The damage to the economic and social fabric of our country is devastating.
“I have absolutely no confidence at all that the people who led us into this economic catastrophe are capable of leading us out. Ireland needs an alternative – an energetic new Government, one that is capable of fresh thinking, is strong enough to drive changes, is brave enough to tackle vested interests and to restructure and reorganise the way the country operates to ensure prosperity and confidence is restored.
“This is a time for change. It is a time people like me to play a bigger part in trying to fix the things that have gone wrong and getting the country back on its feet. It is time for me to take on a different role.
“I believe that Fine Gael is the political party best placed to provide the new leadership and vision that the country desperately needs. Led by Enda Kenny, the party has set out a comprehensive policy agenda that encourages me to see Fine Gael as the party with the right team and new ideas that can get our country back on track. As a result I have decided to seek the Fine Gael nomination to contest the Dublin-South byelection for a seat in the Dáil that is to be held on June 5th this year.”