Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I cannot believe the Government has failed to poverty-proof this budget. It has been a feature of all budgets since I have been here that the back of the budget document contained an annex on poverty proofing and which explained the effect of the budget on the poorest. Thankfully, today's newspapers have done it. For example, The Irish Times notes that the poorest one fifth of families will lose 2.7%, while the richest one fifth will gain 0.5% as a result of this budget. That is a very good indication of why we did not have a poverty-proofing of this budget, which I believe we were obliged to do.

It is quite clear that the Thatcherite approach of this budget has been swallowed hook, line and sinker by the people on the Government benches. They will march into the lobbies this afternoon. I appeal to them, and in particular to the so-called independents who are supporting the Government and who were bought by the price of hospitals and medical facilities that had been already announced, to realise for what they are actually voting. They will reduce people's income to €196 per week, while the richest of the rich are getting away scot free. I will now give way to Deputy Behan, who is a true independent in this House.

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