Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, to the House. It is good to have her here. In his opening statement, the Minister, Deputy Cowen, said that the Estimates and budget must "contribute to our general economic and social development." He also said: "It is the objective of the Government, by making the correct decisions in the Estimates and budget to promote sustainable economic growth so we have the resources to spend money on the social needs of our society that help enhance the dignity and quality of life of those who require our help and support." I concur with these sentiments. It is a very commendable statement with which nobody here would argue.

However, the Government does not stand up to scrutiny in regard to it. We heard from the previous speaker, Senator Kenneally, what the Government really thinks about helping enhance the dignity and quality of life of those who require our help and support. He advocated that we must not tamper with the lower tax rate but we should tackle the upper rate. That says it all for the Government's attitude, that we should continue to widen the gap between rich and poor ——