Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

The example of this is where we are today. I am referring to FÁS, CIE and the airports, which are a shambles, and it goes back to policy, not personality. The polices of the Government were wrong. It could not wait, the money kept flowing in and by God, it gave it out: benchmarking here, buildings there. Bertie called from Drumcondra and a few boys and girls were brought in here and there. They could not wait.

As Senator Feeney will appreciate, the problem I have is that it is about people. Look at the people who have emigrated, at those who have lost their jobs. I bet every Member has had e-mails, text messages and phone calls from carers, those on invalidity pensions, the widowed and those who cannot see. These are people who depend on the State to fund and look after them. It is the primary job of Government to look after them but this Government has not done so. It has also cut the minimum wage.

It was announced with great fanfare yesterday that the Taoiseach's salary is to be cut by €14,000 and that Ministers' pay will also be reduced. Big deal. The Taoiseach and Ministers can afford to take massive pay cuts but people on the minimum wage cannot. This must be about jobs and people.

While I welcome the eleventh hour conversion on the tourism tax, it should never have been introduced. In my view, it should have been abolished in yesterday's budget. There is no message of hope for people in negative equity or those with massive mortgages. More failed policy. I am surprised at the members of the former Progressive Democrats Party and members of the Green Party: they should know better. Confidence is about a chosen course of action that is the best and most effective. This Government has not pursued such a course.