Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I was pleased to hear from one of the Fianna Fáil Deputies yesterday that his party could share part of the responsibility for the state of the country. I remind all those members of the previous Government who are still in the House that they are totally responsible for the fact that our small country is on its knees. For the past 15 years, Fianna Fáil-led Governments used money to win elections. They threw money away as if there were no tomorrow and created a massive property bubble. This was not their own money. It was borrowed. That is why we are now €18 billion in debt. We are left in a very dark place, with a massive budget deficit and a lower tax intake. We know the country is in a difficult economic position and no one in the House wants to cut people's entitlements. Unfortunately, due to the reckless spending of the past number of years, we are left with very few choices. As a Member of one of the Government parties, I take full responsibility for the budget that is being debated today.

In the past couple of days, I have listened to Members of the Opposition speak about our European Union membership. Our membership of the European Union, for which the Irish people voted, has had a positive impact. We have made huge gains as a result of our membership. The EU has funded schools, roads, farms and community projects across the country. Funding from Europe has enabled people in our communities to help run community employment schemes, breakfast clubs, after-school projects, higher education and other resources. More than ever, in these challenging times, we need the help of our European partners to sustain many of these projects. As an EU member state, we were able to ask for help with our financial crisis. The European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund bailed us out and brought the country back from the brink of bankruptcy. We are now obliged to pay back our debts. This applies to all of us, or to anyone who has taken out a loan.

Last February, the Government was given a mandate by the Irish people. It took on the responsibility of rebuilding Ireland and reviving our economy. No one denies that lifestyles will have to change and we all have that ahead of us in the coming months. There will be changes across the spectrum. The Minister for Social Protection faces a bill of nearly €20.5 billion this year. Savings have to be found and difficult decisions have to be taken. Some people will receive less money from the State than in previous times. The reduction in some social welfare schemes is unpopular and I commend the Minister on leaving the majority of payments intact. The budget is as fair as it can be, given the state of our public finances.

I have met many people in my constituency who have worked hard and paid taxes. They have been distraught to see some people who are not working and in receipt of social welfare payments earning the same amount of money as they do, having got out of bed in the morning and gone to work. That is where fairness comes into play. Those who have contributed to the State must be helped and supported when they lose their jobs. We must also support those who cannot work, especially those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

We cannot, and I will not, condemn all those earning high wages. Many of these people have studied hard, progressed their careers and carry great responsibility in their jobs. As a parent who has young children still in school and college, I would like to believe that some day, after their hard work and study, they may become some of the high earners and will not be condemned for holding those positions.

I welcome the Minister's decision to review the changes to the disability allowance. She has listened, not only to comments from Deputies on the Government side but also to those of Opposition Deputies and of families with children who have severe disabilities and rely on disability allowance. It is important to support these families.

Earlier, Deputy Ó Cuív referred to getting things wrong. Many things were got wrong in the past number of years. He told us we should go home and clear our consciences. I have a clear conscience and I will face into the Christmas season with a clear conscience. There is only one person to whom I need to confess, and that person is not in this Chamber or on this earth.

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