Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we approach budget 2023 there will be many demands, and we will not be able to meet all of them. The Government will have to prioritise and make choices as to what the priorities are. At a time when people are under considerable pressure, the priority will have to be to address cost-of-living issues, particularly for low-income and middle-income households, to ensure we assist them at this time. There will be many ambitions across the government to implement the programme for Government in full and to expand and improve public services. This is a Government that has prioritised investment in public services. Public expenditure has been increasing significantly, and we have a very ambitious national development plan. We must ensure that the basics people need in their lives are looked after. I understand that point. That will have to be the focus of the forthcoming budget and I will be determined, working with colleagues across the Government, that this is where the focus will lie.

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