David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is appalling to think of what is happening to people. The back to school clothing and footwear allowance is being reduced by ¤50 and we know that 1.8 million people in the country have a disposable income of less than ¤100 per month. The electricity and gas components of the household benefits package are being cut. As people are already unable to pay for fuel, how will vast swathes of the 1.8 million people to whom I referred cope? We are travelling backwards rather than forwards. I wish the Minister of State and his friends well. They are in a very difficult position, but some of the decisions they have made are wrong.

Allowing access to additional voluntary contributions, AVCs, is a clever move and was suggested in this House by Senator Feargal Quinn.

I welcome the fact that the voices of Senator Mary Ann O'Brien and others were listened to in the interest of small businesses and that they will not be compelled as a result of this budget to pay the first tranche of sick benefit to their employees. Entrepreneurs must be protected.

With regard to motor tax-----