Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Much has been said about this budget and I have heard many Budget Statements in the House. I will give the Government one bit of credit on this. As far as spin is concerned, it is top of the pops. It conditioned the entire electorate into believing this year's budget day would be the darkest day in history. However, we knew better.

This time the Government balanced the books by borrowing €5 billion. This country is fortunate that it has the flexibility to do that and there is no wrong in it. As Deputy McGinley asked, however, how did it get so bad so quickly?

I was on the hustings on the first week of May——

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