Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I saw the ten points and went on record as saying I welcome most of them. The idea that the shortfall in question and all subsequent shortfalls, including the €4 billion at the end of this year and the following year, and the €3.5 billion at the end of the year thereafter, can be met by that formula if tax receipts remain constant is not very honest. The reality is that this year's budget will largely consist of new taxation measures because there is no way out of the predicament. By doing so, we will get rid of many of the anomalies that arise in respect of the public service levy.

The fear is that tax revenue may not be constant and that we might be dealing with bigger revenue holes than exist at present. If the Opposition parties are not prepared to address that, the dissent we see at present may, unfortunately, be amplified because of irresponsible politics. It is easy at this time, which must be accepted as the most difficult fiscal period the country has ever faced, to do nothing, say nothing and play to a Visitors Gallery by saying what people want to hear.

The essential point is that this measure is only the first of a series that must be made by whoever is in government over the next decade to correct our public finances. If one believes this can be done easily and without upsetting many citizens by decreasing the standard of living they are enjoying and have enjoyed, one is not being honest with the people. Until we come to terms with the health of our public finances, we will not come close to securing the public buy-in that is needed.