Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

——and the people gave their verdict in the European elections of 2004. They will give their verdict on today's cheers in a few months time.

In many ways these are the best of times, but they are the worst of times too. It is a tale of two Irelands. It is the worst of times for many people for whom the Government should have cared. So many people have been left behind in the onward march by the Government. It has created an Ireland of private wealth and public waiting — waiting for health, waiting for care, waiting for transport.

This is the Government's tenth year in power. During the past five years, it has raised and spent €258,000 million. The Minister wants us to focus on the last 1% of that which he is spending today. He does not want us to look back at the other 99% and how it was spent. The Irish voter does not have such a short memory. What people are asking is why a Government that has made so many promises and that has had so much money has still let down so many who depended on it.

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