Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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They certainly give me advice. We all worked very hard in the run-up to budget 2019, in the context of many competing pressures, to put together the best possible budget that could be implemented. I take some specific points on board but I differ in that I believe this is a budget which, by virtue of the rate of expenditure growth, the moving to a balance and then a surplus last year, meets key needs within our economy. I of course am aware of the heightened level of risk we now face but I make the point that most of the engagement the Deputy and I have had has been about his view that I should spend more.