Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted that the national development plan is being maintained. Public investment is very important and is key to the future development of the economy. The Minister mentioned one of the major projects in south Tipperary, the completion of the Cashel-Mitchelstown road. I am equally pleased at the considerable extra investment in public transport, which I consider to be equally essential.

There are no negatives in this budget. Those on the minimum wage have been kept out of the tax net, those on the average industrial wage will remain on the standard rate. This morning a point was raised about minor increases in health charges.

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