Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. Like every other public representative, I find it is not easy to discuss the cuts that have had to be introduced due to financial necessity. In saying that, I commend and congratulate the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, for the way she has balanced this huge portfolio in a very fair way. When one considers there are 400,000 people on the live register, 1.1 million children in receipt of child benefit and 470,000 senior citizens on the State pension, to divvy that up in a fair way is not easy. The Minister has done a remarkable job.

The budget of €21.1 billion for 2010 compares to one of €20.4 billion in 2009. That is a huge budget at two thirds of our entire tax take for last year and probably the same for next year. It represents 35% of the entire spend of the Government. Therefore, it is not easy for any Minister to put forward a balanced portfolio of cuts. Equally, it is not easy for any Deputy or for those who will be in receipt of less money. However, we must recognise that the overall position of the public finances demands that we take action because, if we do not, we will be in the unfortunate situation where others may well do it for us.

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