Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I put on record that we are debating what is probably the most important budget in the history of the State, but we are not holding a proper debate. Many Members wish to contribute but the debate will finish in a short period. From speaking to my colleagues I am aware they are frustrated. We were elected to represent people. In his speech, the Taoiseach made reference to NAMA and the benefit of the long debate on that legislation but I do not see the benefit of a short debate on the budget. This budget is probably the most divisive ever and it will be cruel on young families and the vulnerable. The Taoiseach referred to the Government approach on framing this budget and that it was guided by three questions. It seems the Government puts everything in the form of three questions. It must be the magic number.

I will address the three questions, the first of which was whether this was necessary. It is necessary because the Taoiseach has made it so. He ran the country into the ground. Before the last election, when the Taoiseach served as the Minister for Finance he informed the people that the economy was fine. He is trying to do the same now and the message is that the business has been done and there is no problem, but he should be honest with the people. He should inform them we are in a major financial crisis. However, we must be fair with people as well.

A person who cares for an individual came to my clinic in the past two or three days. The person for whom he cares gets eleven prescriptions per week. They will now cost an additional €5.50 per week, which is the bones of almost €300 per year. Will such people begin to make decisions such as that they cannot afford to get these prescriptions? Will they end up in hospital with a cost to the health services? There is a complete lack of joined-up thinking.

I refer to the position of a widow. The Taoiseach made reference to the fact that he understood. How can he understand that when someone has lost a spouse-----

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