Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)

-----I wish they would have a chat with their colleagues north of the Border. It should place the headings "Priorities" and "Realities" on top of a sheet of paper and underneath write the following, "We are bringing in €30 billion and spending €50 billion". They can then do a calculation which children in first class can do, although I do not have a problem if the Deputies opposite need a grind. If one is bringing in €30 billion and spending €50 billion, one has a gap of €20 billion. If one has a tap that is filling a bath at a rate of 30 gallons per minute and a plughole that is emptying at 50 minutes, one has the choice of turning off the tap or plugging the hole. The Deputies opposite want to jump into the bath and have one while they are at it.

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