Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to contribute to the debate. Last week we had a very successful comedy festival in Galway. I think Deputy Sean Fleming's performance would have sold out many times over. It is a shame he did not get a chance to discuss the Finance Bill either as that would have been a cracker. Admittedly, it is a very sticky job to do in 20 minutes. He did not have one alternative and did not say what he would have done differently. His party is giving out that the Government is giving something back. The previous Government's last budget cut the blind pension and the Fianna Fáil backbenchers applauded. After five years we can now give something back to people and we are being criticised for that. Not one person in Fine Gael or the Labour Party is saying to people in receipt of the old age pension that they are made up with €3 extra. What is clear is that this is a country that has turned around, that economically we can stand on our own two feet again, and what is wrong with that? Having listened to Fianna Fáil for 20 minutes after 14 years in government, not only was their no alternative plan but it criticised an increase in the amount being given back. We did not hear anything about the fastest growing economy in Europe and the chance for 6% growth next year. It is a terrible shame that, first, the Opposition is not present but it bet, actively, against the country. It can only sell a dismal story and that is regrettable. It is a shame that when it comes in, it does not have some alternatives. It is a remarkable situation when the Opposition does not turn up and it has no alternatives.

As with all budgets, there are always issues we need to work on for the future. I appreciate the Minister of State is doing great work in respect of community employment schemes and community involvement schemes. Perhaps I should give the Minister of State some more credit when I speak to the local media about this. I hope we can get this over the line sooner rather than later. A 65 year old gentleman who contacted me today is ten months away from retirement and has to come off the scheme. This is an individual who wants to continue in the scheme. In respect of schemes such as Tús and so on, one area where people have a concern is in the disability area, their access to the schemes, the percentage of positions that might be available to them and perhaps it is something we could look at. It is welcome that we can increase child benefit, bring back some of the Christmas bonus and the respite care grant again.

Let us consider how this Government is ending compared to the last Government. The last Government had about four Ministers with five different portfolios. This time each Minister with his or her own portfolio will go the people and say that not only are we giving something back but the opportunity for further growth is there into the future. If we did nothing else and for all the tough decisions we have had to make it is a good message to give that we are in a much better position now than when we took office. It is a very sad day for the soldiers of destiny that the best they can do is give out about an increase in the old age pension and then all leave the Chamber. They are the people who are running to the doors because they still should be apologising.

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