Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

At this time last year, other Members and I on the left in this House presented both alternative budgets and alternative ways of raising money. However, the Minister informed us that we were crazy. That is the reality. We were prepared to balance budgets and know how to do so. We also indicated that we were prepared to facilitate effective budgets and address the problems relating to the national finances left behind by the disastrous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government. Unfortunately, for the past three years the Government has implemented remedial policies similar to those put in place by the previous Administration. Earlier today the Minister referred to history judging people. Many future historians will say the Government of which he is a member carried on the policies implemented by the Administration which preceded it and that those in the Labour Party were insane to take power with Fine Gael.

The point is, whatever way we look at it, an education budget and a health budget are being spent on interest repayments, ultimately, to refund gamblers in the Irish banking system. This continues to be an outrage.

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