John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I am delighted the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, is present for this debate. The Minister of State came to the House almost one year ago, following the last budget on 3 December 2004, when the main topic of discussion was the decentralisation issue. This was mainly because there was little else in the budget until the then Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, pulled a rabbit from the hat and made his major commitment to different urban centres throughout the country. What was plain at the time to anyone who cared to examine the facts was that what was promised on budget day could not be delivered. The promises were made for political reasons.

It was difficult to listen to much of the Minister's contribution. I have rarely heard as much waffle in my time as a Member of the House.