Shane Ross (Independent)

I genuinely do not see much point in having debates on issues of such importance if some political poodle is to be sent to listen to what we have to say and not even bother to convey that message to the Minister for Finance who is elsewhere. We should certainly accommodate the Minister by having a debate at a time that suits him, which is perfectly reasonable. However, I do not believe it is reasonable that we should have a debate when somebody is just shoved in to listen and then goes away. That has no impact and there is no point in pretending it does. It would be a waste of time. I, therefore, ask the Leader to assure the House that the Minister will be present this afternoon because Members of this House have some very important, heartfelt and genuine things to say to him and carry a message from constituents. I say this without great hostility to him.

Although I shall be voting against it, the budget at least passes the forensic test. The test of meeting figures and the targets which they set has been met, for which the Minister must be given a certain amount of credit. It is not easy; he is going to get the budget through and will deliver on it. However, it does not pass the tests which everybody on this side of the House has highlighted. Senator Fitzgerald is right - it is extraordinary to see the budgets of monsters such as FÁS being increased, in so far as I can see, while the amount of money made available through child benefit is being decreased. What is going on?