Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

On the budget proposals for dealing with competitiveness, the stabilisation of the public finances sends out a clear message. The flow of credit into the small and medium size business sector will be addressed in the context of the capitalisation of the banks and proposals made in the budget. The costs of electricity and energy are also key components of competitiveness. While the Government has been accused of trying to force down wages, wages in the private sector are forced down by the market in the same way as it forced up wages during periods of economic growth.