Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

We are living in a democracy. In any other situation, an executive summary of the proposals would be provided. The logic of translating the savings of €440 million this year into €1 billion next year is ludicrous. Does this mean this year's cuts will be multiplied by two? The Government must believe we are all fools. The Fine Gael policy document, Recovery through Reform, proposed that the Government change the budgetary process from an incremental basis to a review of expenditure year-on-year.

These cutbacks were made up on the back of an envelope on the way to the press conference. The Government could not find €14.5 million of a difference so it used the term "involved" when it should have used "consist of". These proposals are a disgrace and an insult to the people. The Government must be positive but, instead, its proposals are negative, lacking in leadership, fail to protect the vulnerable or bring about renewed economic growth. I hope the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance will reconsider these proposed cutbacks.

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