Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

With regard to the proposed arrangements for tomorrow, I find the last point made by Deputy Burton very disturbing. That there is any prospect of the Minister for Finance not being here for the entirety of the scheduled debate on the measures relating to the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill, just recently past, is absolutely unacceptable. The idea that the Minister for Finance might be absent, carrying out the function and responsibility of another Minister in Government is absolutely insulting to this House and raises a question as to his sincerity and the Government's real intent regarding the measures involved in the proposals to be put before us as Members of this Dáil.

As the Tánaiste did not reply to the points I made earlier regarding the entitlement of over 70s to medical cards that will expire between now and 1 January, the thought occurred to me to describe this budget as a programme for emigration with the Minister for Finance at the departure gates taking further moneys out of the pockets of those given the privilege to leave.

See this speech in context