Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank all the Members who contributed to the debate. It is disappointing the Minister did not use the opportunity to give a clear commitment he will address the budget deficit without attacking the front line services over which everybody on the Government side shed crocodile tears this evening and yesterday. What matters is putting money where their mouths are. On this occasion it is going into a big black hole because of the Minister's failure to bring forward legislation to effect the changes he stated in the House last December were necessary to ensure the budget would be effective and would deliver the services he so admirably promised in recent times.

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