Averil Power (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is a first. I shared two minutes with him during our Private Members' business involving a section 37 Bill, which was also a first.

I join with Senator Darragh O'Brien in welcoming elements of the budget, including the retention of the 9% VAT rate. The rate has been a lifeline for tourism businesses and will more than pay its way in supporting job growth. The home improvement scheme is a positive initiative. As Senator Moran pointed out, the cuts to education were not as bad as we had anticipated. However, pupil-teacher ratio increases in smaller schools will come into effect in the next school year, but the expectation of harsher cuts has not been realised. This is welcome and is a direct response to the campaign that was mounted by parents and groups during the summer to highlight the importance of education to this country's future in social terms and in terms of getting our economy back on track.