Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is good to see the Government takes action when it has to.

I am referring to the homelessness crisis. It struck me last night listening to the news that the centre in which €250,000 is being put will guarantee homeless people a bed until March. Pray tell me the Government will not turf the people out like cattle come March. Can the Leader clarify what that means?

I compliment action but hope the Government is as serious about its new mantra of lowering taxes and that there will be action in this area. In the last three to four weeks, I have looked for at least two debates in the House on the need for tax reform, reform of the tax system and the lowering of taxes, but we have not had one. I remind the Government that it is in government and might take action on this if it is serious about lowering taxes. I am not talking about the small gestures in budget 2015 which, as a matter of interest, is not even implemented. The Bill has not even gone through the Houses, which is how hypocritical it is to talk about budget 2016. If the Government is serious about lowering taxes for business and hard-pressed workers to put money back in people's pockets so we grow local economies, it should bring in a mini-budget now.