Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Those who can afford to bear a greater share of the burden will do so. In this and the last budget it was the Government's priority to protect the incomes of low and middle income households, while also making the necessary decisions to continue fixing the public finances, as well as helping to encourage job creation. Yes, we have had to cut expenditure and there is no easy way to do this. Between them, the areas of social welfare, health and education account for 80% of Government spending. It is simply wrong to pretend they can be sheltered from all cuts.

The approach of the Government has been realistic and fair. The social protection budget accounts for 40% of public spending, but it only accounts for 10% of the €3.5 billion adjustment. We have protected the most important payments for those who depend on social welfare.

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