Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

In his address to the Irish people on Sunday night the Taoiseach spoke for all members of the Government and, I am sure, Members of the House when he identified the imperative to retrieve Ireland's economic sovereignty. This is the seriousness of the work in which we are engaged. I have heard much outrage on the other side of the House but I must say I have not heard many positive proposals on how to deal with the extraordinary financial situation we face.

The Minister for Finance announced yesterday that the Department estimates the general government deficit will be 10.1% of GDP this year. There is no country, business or household that could allow expenditure to exceed income by this amount other than for the shortest period possible. The budget has been framed so as to achieve fiscal consolidation of €3.8 billion. This will be sufficient to reduce the general government deficit to 8.6% of GDP next year.

We must state repeatedly that given the task we face, the choices we have had to make have been very difficult. Trying to achieve the type of consolidation we seek in the coming years will involve very difficult choices. However, if we want to get our finances back in order, it is precisely what must be done.

As with any budget there is intense focus on cuts and on what is not being delivered next year. However, it is important that we do not lose sight of what is being delivered and what commitments have been made. The best support we can give to Irish families, children, women and men is to create the economic conditions that will ensure jobs are created. Everybody knows the best way out of poverty is through getting a job. For jobs to be created we need to put in place the right conditions. We heard initiatives in a range of areas announced in the budget. I did not hear anyone on the other side of the House welcoming the initiatives in tourism, agriculture and trade-----

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