Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

It is clear the Government has created a climate of fear and anxiety about the budget in bringing the country to the edge of a financial precipice and I do not believe the people have confidence that it will bring us back from it. I want to raise questions today - we will be discussing the budget tomorrow - about the values it will foster. I point to one issue about which serious questions must be asked. It appears, for example, that the price of alcohol will be reduced but what values will be fostered in terms of job creation and competitiveness?