Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The amendment relates to Central Bank legislation which has not worked. While this Minister voted to bring in a blanket bank guarantee - I believe the Cabinet received its full report on the budget this morning – this day next week he will bring forward another ferocious hairshirt budget for the people. It will be another squeezing of the pips which will make it difficult for people. Various reports from Grant Thornton, the credit union loan book review, the prudential capital assessment review, PCAR, state there is a lack of demand for credit. There is no mystery as to why there is a lack of demand. It is because the Minister for Finance has taken €10 billion out of our economy and out of people's pockets. Next week, he is proposing to take another €3 billion. This comes to €13 billion, following the Fianna Fáil Government removal of €10 billion. The total removal is heading to €30 billion. People have been crucified. Is it any wonder there is a lack of demand?

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