Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Labour Party wants to see an Ireland that works for all. We are honest enough to know that all the things we want and our country needs, such as affordable childcare, a transformation to a carbon-free economy and a health service we all can be proud of, need to be paid for. The same honesty should be demanded of the Government, as well as of Sinn Féin, which has yet to respond to the Commission on Taxation and Welfare's report for fear that it might discommode somebody.

The Tánaiste's denunciation of the Commission of Taxation and Welfare reminds me of Mr. Michael Gove MP and his swipe that "we have had enough of experts", when he did not like the warnings that he heard from the self same experts about the impact of Brexit. This is very dangerous territory. The Tánaiste has at least done us a favour. Any pretence that he is some kind of social democrat in centre-right clothing is gone. We now know, without any doubt, whose side he is on. The mask really has slipped.

Climate is our existential crisis, but this budget is weak on measures that grasp the urgency of the moment. Where are the radical measures to reduce our growing emissions? We are one of the worst performers in Europe. One would not think so by reading this budget. It is jaw-dropping how little it does in terms of promoting a drop in emissions. We have called for a €9 a month climate ticket, massive increases in retrofitting and huge additional investment in solar power to add more generating capacity and reduce bills.

The day-to-day crisis that is crippling families is housing. There is chronic under-investment in social and affordable housing. The Minister had very little to say today on additional capital to provide for the needs that we have. We need a winter ban on evictions to stop the flows of people into emergency accommodation. We need to freeze rents. The former Minister, Deputy Kelly, did it before, yet the Minister claims he cannot do it. That is nonsense. The target for new social builds next year is 9,100, and we know that this year's targets will not be met. Yet, Members of the Government will all stand up here today with straight faces and defend Housing for All, a policy that has been so fatally undermined that the Government should go back to the drawing board. The reality is that tax relief for landlords and tax credits for tenants is an admission of failure on the part of the Government. It is a solid admission that Housing for All is simply not working. Without an increase in the existing capital budget, housing completion targets next year will also not be met. We know that construction inflation is running at 14% or more. That means that without more resources, the State will build fewer homes if it continues to rely on the same quantum of money.

The budget is not climate-proofed, poverty-proofed or housing-proofed. It is only politically-proofed. It is designed to get this Government to the other side of the game of musical chairs in Government buildings that will come to a conclusion in the middle of December. It manifestly fails to address the crises our country faces. By committing over €1 billion in tax cuts instead of building more homes, reducing emissions and eliminating poverty, we know what the Government's priorities are. I say to people not to get too distracted or caught up by the once-off spending frenzy, because the clear message is this: once we get to the new year, it is back to business as usual. The Government is intent on having an Ireland that works for the few. That is what the budget confirms today. When the dust settles, that will be clear to everyone. In contrast, Labour wants an Ireland that works for all.

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