Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

There is no such thing as a perfect budget but I suggest the budget announced by the Minister for Finance today was well balanced in the context of the straightened financial circumstances in which the country finds itself. The Minister's actions, in co-operation with the parties in Government, have meant the circumstances in which we find ourselves were turned into economic opportunities, particularly where the environment and sustainable development is concerned.

I emphasise the green imprint on the budget, which other Senators have mentioned. There are very positive initiatives which will allow, for example, companies to write off 100% of their expenditure on energy efficiency initiatives. There is also much greater access to the business expansion scheme for companies involved in recycling.

This, in a way, is the Government demonstrating that it is possible to turn a scenario where economic and environmental sustainability are an imperative into economic opportunity. Jobs will be created and very positive economic opportunities can be realised through the budget.

I commend the budget because of the emphasis on sustainable development. As the Green Party has repeatedly indicated, sustainable development is about finding balance between economic growth, social justice and environmental protection. The budget goes a good way towards achieving that kind of balance.

There is a strong emphasis on social justice within the budget, even within the compromised economic conditions we find ourselves. Those who have least in society have been the focus of the social welfare and taxation proposals framed within the budget. Health care is an issue of significant concern which has been the subject of many debates in the Seanad. The increase in the health budget is less than previous years but it has been targeted at areas where there is particular public concern. I specifically mention cancer care services, as the €29 million put aside towards screening and remediation is very welcome.