Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Now more than ever, we need that confidence on which business and work thrives. The measures contained in this budget, some of them unpalatable, will engender that confidence.

We have taken the hard decisions but we have been fair. We have preserved the real value of social welfare for those most in need. We have protected older citizens. We have reduced the cost of public services. We have taken action on credit to protect borrowers.

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