Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is a 9.2% increase for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The budget provides for a 1% increase on interests on deposits and savings, which is unearned income. Much of that income was hard earned. Perhaps the Minister would consider looking at this again in the context of the exemption scheme in relation to post office savings. There may be some people on low income who are trying to do their best with the assistance of their savings. The extension of the PRSI was always a highly regressive tax.

The Minister, Deputy Howlin, referred in his speech to critical infrastructure deficits. I hope there was no lobbying in this regard by the construction industry. Our GDP next year will be approximately 40% lower than stated in the national development plan. I do not know where the infrastructure deficits are when economic activity is so depressed. I plead with the Minister to ensure public private partnerships are analysed so that the taxpayer is not taken to the cleaners. I am uncertain from where the ¤323 million referred to on page 13 will be saved in the health service. Some ¤70 million is to be taken from pharmacists and general practitioners. How many of them are there that it is possible to save ¤70 million in this way? It is also stated in the Minister's speech that better income collection will result in savings of ¤150 million.

I am concerned that the proposed legislation in respect of commercial health insurance does not get the benefits of competition, which could reduce the cost of health for people who have commercial health insurance and in the public sector. The Government appears to be defensive of the State company. We regularly hear in this House of projects such as ¤290 million for railway signals between Lansdowne Road and Howth Junction. What type of signals are being installed? Is anybody evaluating the project? Another project, in relation to rail safety, cost ¤1.6 billion. Evaluation of that project indicated the lives of many animals were saved.

It is important the Government keeps the pressure on the big spending and lobbying Departments, in respect of which we will support it.