Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I wish to express the deepest sympathies of those in Fine Gael to the family of Garda McCallion and to his colleagues in the Garda Síochána. His death brings home to people the fact that gardaí put their lives on the line on each occasion on which they take to the streets. They deserve the full support of everyone in this house and of members of the public in respect of their efforts.

Earlier this year, when the Taoiseach stated, at a function held by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, that his priority would be "jobs, jobs, jobs", I came to the conclusion that the Government was at last beginning to wake up. However, the budget will do nothing to create jobs or to stimulate the economy. Fine Gael suggested that the lower rate of VAT should be reduced by 3% in order that labour-intensive areas of the economy might be stimulated, but nothing of this sort has been done to create jobs or assist businesses that are in dire straits.

Senator Boyle has underestimated what the budget will mean to families, be they on the average industrial wage in the private or public sectors. People realise that they are going to be obliged to pay for the mistakes of Fianna Fáil. In that context, 5 June will be payback time for the people.