Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Hannigan, Twomey, Bacik, Healy Eames, Leyden, Ormonde, O'Reilly, Mullen, O'Sullivan and Butler all expressed their serious concerns on the state of our economy. We are going to have a debate on the pre-budget submissions from this House immediately after the Order of Business.

Senator O'Toole correctly pointed out the value of social partnership, where we are today and that what we have achieved since 1987 has been mainly due to the involvement of the Government and social partners. We have had a surplus over the past ten years, with a deficit only for this year. The arithmetic is very simple. We will take in around €34 billion this year and it will cost €55 billion to run the country. We hope that over the next five years we will get back down to 3%, as has been said by the Taoiseach. Difficult budgets in the past have stood this country in good stead. There will be an extremely difficult budget on 7 April and we will debate it after that, be it on Holy Thursday or Good Friday. We are going to do our work in the interest of future generations and in the interest of our country. Let nobody be under any illusion about the difficulty this budget will present. It is the right thing to do and the eyes of the world are on us.

We have achieved much over the past 22 years, and we will achieve as much in the coming years, but the corrective measures must be put in place. We need to support the Government and the Taoiseach, and support the future generations as Senator Fitzgerald said. We are all on the side of those who are less well off, those who are on the margins, and carers. We want to see fairness and we on the Government side are doing everything we can to stress to our Ministers the difficulties experienced by those on the margins. Everyone should realise that this is the most difficult budget they will have ever seen as a Member of either House.

Senators Burke, McFadden and O'Toole all support the amendment by Senator Coghlan to the Order of Business. I will allow No. 15 to be taken after the Order of Business, with the agreement of the House.

Senator Twomey called for a debate on the HSE with the Minister for Health and Children. I have already given an undertaking that this will take place. Senator Bacik and Senator O'Reilly called for a debate on third level fees and education. Senator Healy Eames may not have been correct in her statement, as the building programme this year is €640 million. It is an incredible increase, and I welcome it at this time. Senator Bacik made a proposal for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges about Ingrid Betancourt, a former senator. We can discuss that next week at the committee, under the stewardship of the Cathaoirleach.

Senator Leyden spoke about the VAT differential, which is a very serious situation. Any of us living in the Border counties know about these difficulties. We call on the Garda and Customs and Excise to be vigilant for everybody trying to survive, particularly those family businesses within 100 miles of the Border. I have never seen it as difficult in my life for small family businesses. If monitoring the situation will keep the businesses, then surely this must be a priority.

Senators Norris and Ellis spoke about rentals for telephone lines and the services that are being provided. They are probably not as good as they should be, especially in the mobile phone sector. I will certainly allow time for a debate on this to take place. On behalf of the House, I wish Senator Norris every success in the Dublin Central by-election, as I understand he is close to a decision on whether to stand. As a northsider from North Great George's Street, we will certainly support him to the hilt, after the Government side of course.