John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I compliment the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, on delivering a balanced budget in more difficult economic times than in recent years. It was a prudent budget which maintains public services while providing for significant growth in our capital programme. Listening to the delivery of the Budget Statement and reading the reports in the newspapers, it is clear that it inspires business confidence, which is important.

I acknowledge the fact that Deputies Ring and Durkan have stayed in the House for a few minutes.

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