Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As this is my maiden speech in the House I say to fellow Deputies that it is an honour and privilege to stand here today as a Member of the Thirty-second Dáil. I thank the voters of Longford-Westmeath for giving me the opportunity to represent them. Over the years, the constituency has been honoured by the calibre of its public representatives who have graced this Chamber and I sincerely hope I continue that proud history by serving the public to the best of my ability.

I express my sincere appreciation to my wife, Michelle, and my two sons Jamie and John for their help and support over the years since I first entered politics. I am forever grateful for their help and encouragement. I also congratulate the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, on his re-election. I wish him every success in government as he sets out to restore people's faith in politics and in the economy so that, in the upcoming years, we can bring about real and sustainable improvement in people's lives.

Last week's budget had one key element - a rise in public expenditure of €1.3 billion. It was not long ago that people's anger spilled out into the streets outside this very Chamber at the level of cuts they had to endure to their livelihoods, cuts that affected every man, woman and child in this country. Thankfully, we are now in a different place and last week's budget had a number of key highlights in the areas of rural Ireland, agriculture, education and health. In particular, there was funding for 800 new gardaí, 1,000 nurses and 650 teachers and special needs assistants, a total of 4,500 front-line staff in the coming months.

The budget also addressed concerns of rural Ireland and the help required from those trying to make a living from the land. Positive measures included a deduction in the form of sheep farming grant schemes to the value of €25 million, a review of the improvement of farm assist payments, an increase in rural social schemes and €12 million for town and village renewal schemes.

The Independent Alliance is proud to have made a significant contribution to the shaping of this budget with our Government partners. While much more needs to be achieved, it is our first budget and our first step along the road to recovery and we are committed to this. With a strong group focus on ensuring the vulnerable and sick in society are protected, the Independent Alliance sets priorities where people and communities will come first. We now need to rethink how we do things. Since the economy crashed, people have felt they are not getting their fair share of opportunities and profits generated in society and there is now a great need to look at a new kind of social contract where everyone plays their part and feels valued again.

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