Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I am here to speak my mind and tell the truth. We should practise good housekeeping at home because we are supposed to be tightening our belts. People can have a meeting over a cup of coffee instead of during lunch or dinner. I do not wish to be dour about practising probity, but in the current circumstances the Government must provide a good example. When people read about such matters in the newspapers they lose faith in the political process.

The strength of the euro vis-à-vis sterling presents a serious challenge for indigenous companies, including my own. Most indigenous companies export to Britain, but they are losing their competitiveness due to the growing strength of the euro. If Irish companies do not keep their eye on the ball and get their act together they will not be able to compete in Britain. However, this matter is not attracting publicity in the media.

While future budgets will have to be prudent, I had a difficulty with the most recent which introduced cuts in community employment schemes. This is a pet issue of mine. Such a bureaucratic decision to cut funding for areas of social deprivation was absolute madness because budgets should look after the least well off.