James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The budget shows that the Government has lost the confidence of the people. The Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, has lost his credibility. If he was a director or manager of a private company, he would have been sacked long ago. I would not fancy his chances if he applied for a community employment scheme. He would have to stay even closer to the Tánaiste to get a job in that area.

The problem with the Minister is that he cannot count or remember anything. Those are notable problems for any politician, but they are particularly suspect in a Minister for Finance. The public finances have gone from a boom time budget surplus to a budget deficit without adequate explanation. It is time for the Minister to give us answers, not more Government whitewash. The Minister created this problem. Where have the missing billions gone since May? Where is our economic boom? We are no longer the envy of the world. We are the unfortunate victims of Charlie the slasher.