Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

It will not be long before we enter a countdown period leading to what everybody now accepts will be one of the harshest budgets we have had for a long time. We have had much debate, certainly in the Houses of the Oireachtas but also outside, particularly in the media. In the early stages of that debate one of the biggest difficulties in arriving at a consensus was that people were not sure whether we were dealing with a real crisis. If one likes, we first needed to break through that sound barrier. We have now done that and if we had done it sooner, perhaps the consensus might have been much clearer. There is consensus on one aspect of the crisis, that the vulnerable should not be asked to suffer. Those who have most should pay most in whatever form. I am not just talking about those who earn €100,000 or €200,000 a year; I am also talking about people in secure jobs with guaranteed pensions who, in the main, have done exceptionally well from the Celtic tiger.

I welcome the indication by the Taoiseach last night that pensions for the elderly would not be interfered with. He was sending a further important message that there would be a strong caring element to the budget, not just on pensions for the elderly but also for others who were vulnerable. When people take to the streets or go on strike, which is their right, in the main, the vulnerable are not represented. They usually come as a second thought in some statement in the public arena because they are not organised and do not have a strong voice. Invariably, they will suffer. The Taoiseach sent a message last night that we should keep in mind in coming weeks that the budget will have a strong caring element. That will help to put people's minds at ease. It should also send a message to those who have done well from the Celtic tiger.