Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

The fundamental criticism of the Government by the Opposition at this time is that it has spent too much and has let the public finances get out of control. Child benefit has increased from €638 million in 2000 to €2.5 billion this year. Is it this to what they are referring when they say spending is out of control? The Government has spent a large amount of money in this area. We must ask the fundamental question of the Opposition, when the leaders of the two main parties appear on important television programmes and announce with great authority that the public finances must be cut by €4 billion, in what areas will they impose cuts to achieve this €4 billion? They are telling groups who appear before them campaigning on this issue that they are not the ones on whom they will impose cuts. However, it is important the campaigners on all of these issues are aware that the Opposition is telling that to every group they meet. There is a fundamental dishonesty at the heart of the Opposition's policies.

The fundamental pro-family agenda of Fianna Fáil has been demonstrated by our record during the past few years. Our record is second to none in terms of supporting families and children. I know this only too well as a representative of a constituency with one of the youngest age profiles in the country. There are more children in my constituency than in many others when one averages out the population. That record must be acknowledged.

It must also be acknowledged that the public finances are in deep disorder. If we fail to make tough decisions now, what will happen next March or April when the Minister or Finance or the National Treasury Management Agency tries to borrow from the world markets the €2 billion per month we require and they say "No?" What will we do then? We will be castigated by the Opposition for not imposing enough cuts, which is not what they are saying now. We must take a prudent approach to the public finances. I plead with the Government to take the tough decisions and to be as tough as possible to save the country and children.

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