Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute, albeit briefly, on the third Finance Bill of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen. It comes in the aftermath of the presentation of the Book of Estimates and a successful, balanced and well crafted budget.

The Minister has already set out the aims of the Bill, which places emphasis on the promotion of enterprise, jobs and investment, the removal of low earners from the tax net and the advancement of environmental and socially desirable objectives via the tax system. He is continuing the job of consolidating the enormous fiscal and economic progress made over the past decade, while at the same time laying the groundwork for continued growth, prosperity and fairness.

It is important that we do not take our economic environment for granted. Viewers of the special "A Week in Politics" programme broadcast on RTE at the weekend could not help but notice, as the American presenter did, that the focus group took the Government's present position of strength as a "given".

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