Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I move:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"— recognises that the gap that has emerged between revenues and expenditure is not sustainable;

— recognises that the comprehensive review of expenditure process, which was undertaken across all Departments, examined all areas of expenditure and ensured that the principles of fairness, growth and reform underpinned the outcomes set out in budget 2012, within the resource framework set out in the programme of financial assistance with the EU-IMF negotiated by the previous Administration;

— notes that the expenditure reduction measures put in place in budget 2012 were some €300 million less than those proposed in the previous Government's national recovery plan; and

— acknowledges that the plans set out by Government in budget 2012 form an important step in returning Ireland's economy to a sound footing and regaining our fiscal sovereignty."

I wish to share time with Deputies Liam Twomey and Pat Deering.

It is clear that Deputy Browne has not been talking to too many people. He did not mention the 2009 reductions made by Deputy Smith as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in spending on the disadvantaged areas and suckler cow schemes and so on.

See this speech in context