Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let us be clear: to implement such a promise would leave a €1 billion hole in our finances over the next two years. What we have done is provide additional supports to those in need, including our pensioners.

Will the Minister of State consider an issue relating to motor tax? If one pays one's motor tax quarterly, it works out far more expensive than if one pays it annually. A change to this situation would benefit commuters greatly so I would ask that such a change be considered.

I know that this budget will not satisfy everyone and it would be impossible to do so. We have, however, started the process of returning some money to peoples' pockets that had been required to fix our budget deficit. We have also started the process of returning public services to where they should be. This cannot be done overnight and will not be. This Government has indicated how it will be done over the coming years. We know where we stand and where we are going and this Government can be trusted to get us there.