Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If the Minister's objectives have been to underwrite fairness and equity in his budgetary efforts, he has clearly and manifestly failed. If his objective has been to enhance growth, he certainly has failed because officials tell us that we have precisely 0% growth this year. I asked the Minister about equality budgeting and I have raised this issue with him many times.

It is clear to everyone that fairness is not writ large in the Government's budgetary efforts. On the contrary, the ESRI has clearly indicated that the two most recent budgets were regressive and placed the burden on those least able to shoulder it, particularly individuals who are parenting alone.

The Minister indicated that Departments look into their hearts and give due consideration to issues of equality. I am seeking something entirely different, namely, a systematic and transparent assessment of the Government's budget proposals in order to check them for equality on the basis of the nine grounds which apply in this regard. Such an assessment would be similar to the statutory duty which exists in the North of Ireland and the practice which obtains in other jurisdictions. If the Government is going to refer to fairness and equality, it must do its homework and have in its possession the data to support its case. We should not be obliged to face budget after budget where the Government hammers people on low incomes and turns its face away from even considering taxing the wealthy.

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