David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend the pre-budget submission launched by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul yesterday, planning for the right kind of recovery. In recent years, we in Sinn Féin have sought, through this House, proper debates on pre-budget submissions and alternative budgets from a range of organisations which, in fairness, take the trouble to make submissions to Government, and also political parties in opposition which publish their alternative budgets and pre-budget submissions. We have the option of the public consultation committee of this House which can invite people. It is one of those functions that should be used. A lengthy debate on the role of the Seanad took place in the context of the Seanad abolition referendum. Allowing organisations which publish their budgets to come to the Oireachtas for a debate with Deputies and Senators on their proposals would be a useful exercise for all involved.

The pre-budget submission from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul argues for a fairer approach to how the Government balances its books. There is no contention from anybody that we do not address the deficit. The contention is where the axe has fallen in terms of cuts and that fair or progressive taxation elements have not been introduced by this or the previous Government. Low and middle income families and those on welfare have been hit the hardest. All the evidence points in that direction. Rather than dismiss alternative budgets or policies as fairytale economics, as the Government parties seem to do, it would be preferable to have a proper debate not only on the alternative budgets of the Opposition but also on those of organisations that are helping people who live in poverty and who are working on the front line in order that we would listen to what they have to say. I ask the Leader to ensure we have a series of alternative budget debates facilitated by a number of Ministers, the most notable being those for the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Finance.