John Gilroy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I need protection right enough. It is important we have this conversation in advance of the budget and that is a benefit of today's motion. Nobody has a monopoly on concern in the area and there is no question that there have been cuts. Of course it is unsatisfactory that we have seen cuts, although I am afraid I supported cuts last year. On balance, although it was difficult, the savings had to be found. We can call the process a reduction, reallocation or whatever we want, but no matter what they are called, they are cuts because they affect ordinary people's lives. That they do so in a negative way is regrettable.

Senator Power acknowledged the necessity for reductions in the general economy, and to find sufficient savings, one must go to the big-spending Departments, which include those dealing with social welfare, health and education. If we do not look for savings in such Departments, we could take every penny from other Departments and not make sufficient savings. No matter how we make reductions or cuts in the Departments, they will be perceived as being unfair by the people affected. That is a truth that must be acknowledged.

Does this mean we can stand back and not make any cuts? We cannot do so, although the motion before us asks us to. We will probably vote on whether it should be done now. Senator Power has argued that if we feel in our hearts that this is the wrong action, we should act accordingly, which is a very good point. We should do that in this Chamber a bit more often. It may be premature to support or reject a motion at this time and lose the Whip because of the way our democratic party system works in this and the other House.

We can examine what is proposed in the budget rather than getting ahead of ourselves in seeing what cuts, reductions in service or reallocations will be made. At that time we could decide whether to support such action; that is what I intend to do. I will support the amendment to the motion but I welcome today's discussion, which is very important. We should have such discussions on every issue between now and budget day, teasing out the matters. That is a function of this House and we should leave aside party political allegiances until the budget is published. At that stage we can decide if our parties are correct and make decisions accordingly. That is what I intend to do.

Senator O'Brien referred to my colleagues and their unhappiness over what happened with the budget last year. He has an insight into their minds to which I do not have access.