Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If we go to budget 2023 and look at the package that has been outlined, we see that there is an expenditure envelope of €2.65 billion. However, when you take away the public sector pay deal, if approved, the number is reduced to about €1.6 billion.

In the context of a cost-of-living crisis, a healthcare system that is falling apart and needing more investment in housing, €1.6 billion will not cut it in expenditure. Forget about indexation; it is not going to cut it. This is worse than a standstill because hospitals, schools, youth clubs and everything else are costing more to keep level because of the cost of energy. Support in the amount of €1.6 billion is tiny in comparison with what is required. Would Mr. Barnes not agree? How can he suggest it is appropriate?