Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

The part I remember most about this failed budget is the standing ovation given by Government Deputies at the end of the Minister's speech. That included Deputy Joe Behan, who has left the party since, and ten or 12 other Deputies who denounced the budget on the airwaves in the following days. They were like the Gunner McGee, leading the regiment from behind. When they saw how public opinion was going they changed their minds, after their enthusiasm on budget day when they clapped for everyone.

We had the spectacle of two Ministers, Deputies Brian Lenihan and Willie O'Dea, on "Today with Pat Kenny" trying to lay the blame on the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. Deputy Mary White, of the white party, the Green Party or rather the yellow party, was on the airwaves stating that the Green Party did not agree with this budget.

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