Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator O'Brien that the Leader of the House should accommodate the Opposition by giving us an opportunity to tease out the Government's proposals. Everybody has the right to speak on the budget. The imbalance in the numbers in this House gives us a limited number of opportunities to do so in the time available. I welcome the Minister of State. Of course there are good things in this budget. Every Government has to try to find some sort of balance. I welcome the extension of the section 481 film tax relief scheme. There is a degree of certainty in relation to that. As a member of the Leitrim County Childcare Committee, I welcome the allocation of ¤14 million to increase the number of child care places. I have to say I am sorely disappointed that no reference was made to home help despite all of the lobbying that has been done.