James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

The budget is not in spite of Government policy but because of it. A strong stench of failure and hopelessness is hanging over the Government side of the House. Sadly, that stench has escaped from this House and made its way into the public arena. People who have worked hard and achieved a reasonable standard of living are being ground down by a failure that is directing and dictating their lives. However, it is not their failure, but the failure of this corrupt Government.

The Capuchin Day Centre for homeless people in Dublin has seen an increase from 350 people waiting for food parcels this time last year to a current figure of 1,100.

See this speech in context