Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Gerry Adams asked what was different. That is a legitimate question, but sometimes Members do not want to hear the answer. What is different is that we are not blocked out of the international markets. Our integrity is not in shreds; our reputation has been restored; interest rates on international markets are not 15%; we have dealt with the promissory note, got interest rate reductions and loan maturity extensions. These are all matters that are important to the economy. Also, during our Presidency, driven by the Minister for Finance, the questions of banking union, capital directives, supervision and supervisory requirements were all dealt with. These are in place as we move towards dealing with further issues, with support from our European colleagues. That is what is different. The confidence that is palpable all over the country, felt at the ploughing championships which the Deputy attended, is evidence of the people believing their country has come through a very rough time and that it is making progress.

The Deputy will not have heard anybody on this side of the House talking about green shoots or having turned corners or saying we are out of the mess. We still face a series of challenges, but we are focused on the country, the economy and the people. The specifics of the budget will be decided by the Cabinet in toto when it sits around the table. I confirm this as fact, despite what the Deputy may hear from some of those on his left hand side or what he may read.

See this speech in context