Feargal Quinn (Independent)

With the permission of the House I will share time with Senator Norris.

I look forward to this debate each year. When I was at school I always wanted to be a school inspector or examiner, and I look forward to acting as the budget examiner and giving marks for it. Last year, I gave the budget a pass and used the term "could do better". What is the mark this year? This year's budget was dull and boring, with no surprises and little innovation. Thank God for that, because that is what was needed. We do not need dramatic changes.

This year there was a new challenge for the Government and Senator MacSharry has mentioned it. There is a new environment internationally and nationally. There was a danger of the Government slamming on the brakes and being afraid to borrow. On this occasion the Government chose sensible borrowing, and I will give it an acceptable mark for that. Competitiveness is the area that must be watched for the future. I am pleased that no steps were taken to damage that. I am particularly pleased with the investment in science, technology and research and development.

However, I am disappointed that no steps were taken to cut public expenditure, an area where we face a real challenge as Senator Twomey mentioned, particularly expenditure on pensions and salaries. I am concerned about that because it will damage our competitiveness in the future. What was done with regard to stamp duty and the construction industry was sensible. It is not dramatic but will encourage the housing and construction sectors. On that basis, it is at an acceptable level. What about business and investment? The steps taken, in small ways, for small and medium sized enterprises are acceptable and I would encourage them.

I was particularly pleased that there was no tinkering with foreign investment. We have had the confidence of foreign investors in Ireland for the past 20 years because we have been able to say, "This is what you get if you come here. We do not change direction mid way because of some other challenges outside." I am pleased this was the case today. From that point of view, I can give the budget reasonably high marks.

I applaud the Minister's commitment to deliver in full the national development plan because this should be a priority in our preparations for the future. Roads are important, as they always have been, and so are other types of transport. However, these are no longer the most important priority in getting Ireland ready for the future. As I have said here before, our number one priority should now be education. Education does get a look-in in the national development plan and it also features in the spending plans announced today, but not to anything like the required extent. If we are to prepare properly for the medium and long-term future we must invest a lot more in education. Investment in education is mentioned in the budget and it was talked about today, but not to the extent I would like.

When it came down to what sort of marks I would give this year, I decided to give honours. However, I am not going to give top marks because of insufficient investment in education and the unacceptable reduction in overall public expenditure. Had the Tánaiste attended to these areas he would have got top marks, but he has certainly received higher marks than in previous years. The Government cannot relax. The Minister is receiving honours, but only just.