Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday's budget was a modest and prudent one. The objective was not only to sustain our economic recovery but also to reduce the deficit. We are acutely aware of the sacrifices the people have made over recent years.

This budget is the first step in ensuring the benefits trickle down throughout the country. I am particularly delighted with the tax reliefs for the farming sector, which is our largest indigenous sector. The tax reliefs for older farmers who wish to transfer land to younger farmers should be greatly welcomed. That is important to ensure a sustainable agricultural industry. Incentives will also be introduced for young farmers to lease farms and to ensure older farmers can plan for the future. This is a positive step for our economy and for rural Ireland in particular.

The retention of the 9% VAT rate in the food and hospitality sector is important. I referred previously to the effects of that. More than 23,000 have gained employment in the sector since the introduction of the reduced VAT rate.

I also welcome the investment of €10 million secured by the Minister for Justice and Equality for the Garda fleet, and €3 million will also be provided for three new Garda divisional headquarters in Galway, Dublin and Wexford. The 100 recruits who entered the Garda college last September were the first to be recruited since 2009 when the previous Government put a stop to recruitment. All these measures are to be welcomed. They are modest but we are going in the right direction.