Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

On debating the Ryan and Murphy reports, as the weeks go along there will be no difficulty in allocating time to allow colleagues to give further comment. In particular I accept in Senator Bacik's point that she raised on re-reading the report which is a massive report. One of the great strengths of the House is that we will be able to allocate the time to revisit the report and perhaps enlighten the Government on the concerns of Members.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Prendergast, Coffey and Bradford all expressed their concerns and views on today's budget. I also hope that today senior citizens and those people who have made immense contributions down through the years are considered, even though it will possibly be the toughest budget in the history of the State. Only a few years ago, children's allowance was only €34 a month. Now five years later, child benefit is €166. It was great to see that happening when there was buoyancy in the economy. We need to put the figures into perspective. The Government cared for those who are marginalised and particularly the children - the next generation - who will become the men and women who will enhance the country and take it along from the point up to which we have played our part. The thought has crossed my mind in the last few days that if there had been a change of Government in the last general election, we would probably be having another general election now because the responsibilities the Government is taking on and the tasks it must carry out involve much courage and expertise.