James Bannon (Fine Gael)

The PDs were too cowardly to put forward candidates in the European Parliament election, despite having always portrayed itself as a pro-Europe party. Now appeasement by the Government parties is under way. That appeasement seeks to balance the scales which have been weighted towards the wealthy in the form of dozens of tax breaks. This has led to the perception that this Government is one that favours the rich. It certainly does not favour the vulnerable in society. There are several sectors, for example, the sick and the elderly, that are not properly looked after in this budget. However, a softly, softly approach is evident, with the next two very important years of canvassing in mind. Senator Mansergh mentioned that there will be greater surpluses than anticipated in today's budget. I believe this money will be targeted at voter-sensitive areas.

This budget is a well organised attempt to promote the much trumpeted new caring face of Fianna Fáil and the PDs and the newly discovered socialism of the Taoiseach, both of which ring hollow. To paraphrase that well-known saying, beware of Greeks bearing gifts — we are today wary of the newly converted Government evident in this budget, which has proved to be mostly empty words disguising an unpalatable reality.