Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Once again the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have delivered budget speeches full of empty self-praise and political soundbites which completely ignore the reality of what this Government has just proposed. This is a bad and damaging budget. Within the tight constraints there remained choices that could be made but once again this Government chose a mean-spirited and regressive approach. Groups already feeling the most pressure are again being targeted and the Government has failed to produce any credible approach to job creation. The health sector is to be driven deeper into crisis because of a mixture of chaotic policies and increased cuts, while older people are to lose supports they need at their most vulnerable moments, when they are sick, bereaved or living alone.

The presentation and content of this budget is a powerful demonstration of a Government which plays politics first in everything it does.

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