Dan Boyle (Green Party)

The decision to bring forward the budget date was made in the heat of international and national economic uncertainty. It was made on the basis of bringing about greater certainty and confidence in the economy. In doing so, several measures were introduced that were ill-thought out as regards their full consequences. I regret this.

The ongoing debate on the budget, led through public pressure, is healthy for our democracy, something we should all acknowledge. I ask the Leader to include debates on budgetary matters as a regular part of the House's agenda.

We should be honest enough to admit that, despite €2 billion in additional taxation measures and €2 billion in spending cuts, the deficit is still only reduced by €1 billion. The borrowing we are making just to stand still as a country is €12 billion. Much of our additional current expenditure is servicing this additional deficit. In any debate on the budget, I ask Opposition Members to debate not just this budget but the next two and suggest alternative curbs in public expenditure and additional taxation measures.