Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I also have a question on the budget although I know we will have a debate. This budget is mean, nasty and sneaky. It is mean in terms of the 1% levy because this is regressive. It is nasty in terms of the increase in an array of health charges. It is sneaky in many respects, particularly the one by which one must qualify for health benefits. That is at the micro level. Many of the sneaky elements were not in the Minister's speech yesterday but are found in the small print.

On the macro level the big problems are not resolved, namely, the issue of public finances. We will still increase borrowing by €2 billion in 2009 and we will borrow for current spending. I remember the Haughey years of high spending before the Fine Gael Governments led by Garret FitzGerald came into power and put things right.