Dáil debates

Wednesday, 14 October 2020

Financial Resolutions 2020 - Financial Resolution No. 7: General (Resumed)

 

5:00 pm

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Budget 2021 is the largest investment of money in the history of the State and it is happening at a time when lives and livelihoods are at risk. I was pleased to see €18 billion being injected into this economy. I am aghast that some in the Chamber would say that that kind of budget lacks ambition, when nothing in our State's history has involved that much money being pumped into the welfare of the country. I think the commentary is riddled with clichés. When one digs deep into how the Opposition would fund a greater, more expansionary budget, the facts were laid bare on my local radio station this morning when the Sinn Féin Deputy in my constituency said that it would be based on a platform of taxation. I think local businesses should tune their radios into that and hear that, because they are crippled. Our budget has been designed around supporting them and giving them a base to keep trading and to keep their staff on payroll.

There a number of issues I would like to address. The announcement of capital investment was of significant importance to my constituency. It is shared with Cork Airport but it is also coming to Shannon Airport at a time when it is ailing and in desperate need of help. I see it as a stepping stone in helping the airport through these lean months, we hope into the spring of 2021. Now is a great time to devise a new aviation policy so that we do not see the continued dominance of Dublin Airport at the expense of Shannon, Cork, Knock and others.

I am pleased to see the VAT rate reduced from 13.5% to 9%. A more streamlined communiqué needs to come from Government about this. There were many questions to my office this morning of how businesses manage it. It is quite simply for each business to decide but I would hope that in most instances, businesses would keep that margin for themselves and ensure that that keeps them afloat, because there are so many at risk of going entirely insolvent and having to close their doors forever. That is one of the measures in the design of this budget. Some may have the capacity to pass it on to the consumer, and it is brilliant if that can happen, but the budget is really to shore up support for businesses.

As a former teacher up until February, I welcome the reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio, which is what the Irish National Teachers' Organisation asked for. Others will paint it as coming up short. This is what was asked for and what was delivered this year.

I know the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, is already looking at the flood scheme in Clonlara and others that need to happen in County Clare. When the review of the Shannon Group is concluded, I hope that some of the Shannon Heritage sites in the mid-west may come under the directorship of the Minister of State's Department.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.