Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make a point of order before we begin. I do not lay fault at the feet of the Minister for Finance, but in my 12 years as Opposition spokesperson on finance I have not experienced a situation where the Minister for Finance has not been present. There are times when a Minister has to attend other international duties or events and we in the Opposition have always facilitated the change. I understand that that was requested in this case as well, but the Chief Whip needs to get his act together. The senior Ministers need to be here. That is no reflection on the Minister of State, but he does not have delegated responsibility on some of these issues and it cannot be the norm. I am very disappointed that the Government did not facilitate a swap for the Minister.

That said, the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, is welcome. The first question relates to the need for an emergency budget to have targeted measures to support low and middle-income families. He will be aware that we are seeing the highest rates of inflation for 38 years and we need Government intervention. The idea of waiting until October and perhaps a social welfare Bill and a finance Bill at some later stage does not cut it with ordinary families and workers who are feeling severe pressure at this point in time. Will the Government bring forward an emergency budget with measures targeted at low and middle-income families?

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