Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all welcome the upturn in the economy and it would be churlish not to recognise and acknowledge that there has been an improvement. There has been a great deal of talk about our improving economic situation and I would suggest that much of that improvement is down to increased competitiveness but also to our exchange rate, in the context of a flagging eurozone economy and a global downturn, which has not been referred to at all. That has been a significant factor in the improvement in our financial situation.

The Ministers said there would be no reduction in social benefits as if this was something to be applauded. How dare they even suggest that there should have been further cuts to social welfare payments, especially in light of the cuts that were implemented in recent years across a wide variety of areas, as outlined by Senator O'Brien.