Fiona O'Malley (Progressive Democrats)

My time is limited and I will not give way. The hallmark of this budget is that it is fair and nobody in the country will lose out as a result of it, which is quite an achievement in more constrained economic circumstances than recent years. It is easy to be generous when money is widely available but it is harder to make choices when money is limited and that is why this year's budget is so commendable. It is difficult to find a group that will not benefit from this budget and none of the non-governmental organisations responding to it seemed to seriously criticise it.

People have said it is a pity certain areas did not receive more but, as the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, said, we would all like to give everyone more but that is not the way of the world and that is not the purpose of a budget. There was a limited amount of money available in the budget, choices had to be made and the Minister has made his choices wisely.

Before Senator O'Reilly departs I want to raise the issue of the top rate of income tax.