Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to own the budget because I think we have got the balance right. We are examining one section of the Finance (No. 2) Bill but the budget has to be looked at in the round, including the impact on different types of households and people with different income levels, elements of the cost-of-living package on the social welfare side and changes to the cost of accessing public services. The central conclusion from the ESRI and the SWITCH analysis is that the distributional impact of the budget was progressive. I stand over that as the correct way to allocate resources so that those who need the most help get the most help. All elements of the budget have to be considered together. That is the central conclusion and one I am happy to defend. I am happy to own the budget and present it here today. I think we have got the balance right overall.