Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What is the Senator talking about? That is stupid. I welcomed it at the time it was introduced and it has worked. I remind the Deputy that other initiatives were paid for by the pension levy - there were other elements of it. This measure worked but others did not. That aspect is certainly to be welcomed and there is no question about it.

The removal of the travel tax is also a welcome measure. The home renovation initiative is to be welcomed. Many of us proposed its introduction over a number of years, even during the term of the previous Government, pointing out that it would help to reduce the number of people operating in the black market. All those measures are to be welcomed.

In reality, this budget was never going to be an easy one. I was astonished by the spin, particularly coming from Fine Gael, during the past week that we would be surprised at the good news in this budget, but I do not see where that is.