Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not know what horse trading took place in advance of the budget. Kites were flown and there were walkouts and everything else over the weekend but I am sure the Government Whip will ensure that the budget goes through. I hope it does not because it contains measures that are not necessary. Other options were available to them. Having accompanied my party's delegation to meet the troika on a number of occasions, I am aware that the bottom line is what interests its members. The measures contained in this budget are the result of political decisions based on the Government's wishes and internal negotiations. I acknowledge it met its target of ¤3.5 billion in adjustments. We agreed with that target and put forward our own costed alternative budget.