Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

It is an appalling budget. No only has the Government deflated the economy, but it has deflated the hopes of the people. Taking into account the measures in this budget, the Government has taken more than €8,000 from the average family in the past six months. This is an attack on families. The Government has attacked families throughout the budget. It has bottled it on reform — there is no reform in the budget, which is extraordinary. The Government did not take the courageous decisions required to cut spending. The balance in the budget is wrong. Some 60% of it will be taxation compared with Fine Gael's recommendation of 32%. The Government has failed to give hope to those who are losing their jobs.