Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Yesterday, we saw people power at the gates of Leinster House, when tens of thousands of elderly people came to protest at the budget, as well as thousands of young people who also felt threatened by the decisions in the budget. The budget is unravelling and has become, as Deputy Enda Kenny has said, a discussion document. I am concerned about the figures contained in the budget, especially the projections for economic growth and consumer spending as well the savings arising from changes to the medical card scheme. Many questions arise and I have heard the Minister for Health and Children quote many different figures for the actual savings. I do not have confidence in the figures that have been put forward by the Government.

This was a very rushed budget, containing a bucket of indiscriminate measures, and we are seeing the effects of that now. It seems very likely that we will have another budget very soon to correct the figures in the current budget. It is a very worrying time indeed and it is very difficult to have confidence that this Government can manage the current difficult situation. There is no doubt that it is at a time like this that one sees the values of Government coming through. The only guiding principle the Government has had for the past ten years is a taxation principle. We saw in the decisions made this week that no guiding principle existed with regard to children and the elderly and no values came through in the budget. When will the social welfare Bill be discussed in the House? This side of the House has many questions on it.

Will the Leader and Senator Boyle clarify the Government's position on incineration? The Green Party has stated it is against incineration. A new waste policy will be introduced and an important hearing will take place next week with regard to a large incinerator planned for Rathcoole. An EU directive states people who oppose such a development should have the resources to ensure an even playing field at a hearing. This will not happen and it does not happen in this country. Will the Leader investigate whether the principles contained in the EU directive can be applied to hearings in Ireland?