Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

These Houses are meant to debate difficult issues and different opinions. I feel strongly on this matter and I am seeking a debate with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, even though there has been no reform. According to recent information, taxation receipts have increased dramatically in the past five months, but our expenditure has exceeded targets by 3.6%. Between 2009 and 2011, the previous Government set targets to reduce the public service pay bill by 4% on an annualised basis. The current Government has lowered that target to 1.75% during the next three years. It is doing precisely what it recommended should not be done when it was in opposition, namely, trying to tax itself out of the current difficulty. We are taking money out of the productive economy and hard-pressed home owners who are trying to meet their mortgage repayments to pay for the public service and unsustainable social welfare rates that are far beyond those found in other EU countries. This situation cannot continue, given the fact our economy lacks competitiveness.