Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

For the people of Ireland, what this budget does is bring the end into sight. No one can understate the sacrifices and no one should overstate what has been achieved. However, we can see progress and it is being made with a purpose. Even in these most difficult times, we have the resources to drive important reforms and we have protected those who most need to be protected.

This is the centenary year of the Labour Party. The men and women whom I have the honour to lead in this House know full well the cost this budget will bring to the families and communities they represent. However, they also know this budget is not about today or tomorrow but is a bridge to the future. Delivering it is part of our commitment to bringing our country back from the abyss to a stronger better future. While none of this is easy, it is necessary. In the future, people will look back and ask the following three questions of the Members and parties who were in this House at this time. Did they take responsibility for solving the problem or seek to exploit it? Did they act with fairness? Did they think of the future? In respect of all three questions, the Labour Party and this Government will be able to answer "Yes", which is something of which I, for one, am proud.

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