Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

The country faces a difficulty and the three main political parties agreed public expenditure should be reduced by €4 billion. The two main Opposition parties had proposals on how they would achieve this reduction. The Government had to devise a policy and introduce permanent measures as opposed to making short-term decisions, as many people proposed. Short-term decisions would have eventually cost us dearly in terms of borrowing. We must, therefore, meet budget restrictions.

I support the Minister who had a difficult job to do but did it extremely well given what she had to work with. We are making great investment in education, children and young people. When circumstances improve we will provide better support to families.

Everyone is hurting a little but it is important we all play our part. Over the weekend, a number of older people told me they were willing to help out. Senator Mullen referred to older people who do not have mortgages. It would be wrong to attack those who worked hard throughout their lives by taxing them on the basis that they do not have mortgages to pay. That would not make sense and I would not go down that route.