Conor McGarry has analysed the data from the Department of Finance monthly exchequer statements 1998 – 2012 and has discovered something rather interesting – the data shows that under the FG/Lab Government spending has actually been increasing, yet Austerity is defined as the policy of deficit-cutting by lowering spending.

2010 – €47b

2011 – €48b

2012 – €50.3b