John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I might race ahead like Government expenditure in the past few years; there might be an overrun. That time should allow me to address the topical issue of the Book of Estimates.

I am surprised by the back slapping and other antics of Government Senators and Deputies with the Minister for Finance after the publication of the Book of Estimates. It is a damning indictment of the Minister that we have had such economic success over recent years, and still have strong economic growth, yet the public finances are in such a mess. As Senator Ryan said, it is a political mess that the Minister has created, primarily with the intention of seeking re-election in May 2002. The Minister achieved that goal but at a high cost.