Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The situation that applies in every household in the country, in every small shop in the country, in every business in the country is that if one is spending more than one is taking in, one will not continue in business for long. This country has a deficit of €18 billion this year. In other words, we are spending €18 billion more than we are taking in. The reason for this is the legacy of an unfortunate Government which lumped bank debt onto sovereign debt and mismanaged the economy to the extent that we now must make serious decisions that have not been tended to for a long time.

For instance, in respect of the reductions in social welfare allowances, this was included in the 2011 budget with no underlining policy decision to bring about the €65 million savings involved. Surely the Deputy does not believe that we should, for example, continue to pay rent for handsets that can now be had for free under the deal being done with Eircom by the Minister for Social Protection. It is time to get real in the sense of what the Government has to deal with. We will not sort out our problems by living in a fantasy land where we can walk away from our debt and close schools, businesses and hospitals-----

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