Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

——and create the buoyancy to add the extra billions forecasted in our economic future. We have the confidence to make a positive economic forecast unlike in the past when it was all done in negative terms and concentrated on what we would lose, how much we would be short and whether we had any hope. It was all despair. That has all changed and we continue to forecast a positive position into the future. I heartily congratulate the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, on his inspired first budget and this Finance Bill, which contains many far-reaching new powers for the pursuit of tax evaders. It is fair, balanced and very much in keeping with the visionary strategic approach of the Government to the economy. I commend it wholeheartedly to the House.

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