Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There will be no budget announced in the spring. We have factored into the annual budget how much we expect to spend and take in during the calendar year; therefore, we have forecasted the reduction we will make in the burden on the people. Everyone from the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste down within the Government has stated we hope and expect to be able to do more and target low and middle income earners.

I agree with much of Senator Fidelma Healy Eames's analysis. I have met many of the same people. When I was in London, I met the London Irish Business Society - young Irish people working in financial services there - as part of the new financial services strategy. They were well qualified and smart. As they were all doing well, it will be difficult to get that talent back as long as we have a tax system that is penal for those in the €30,000 to €70,000 range.

Senator Aideen Heyden is right. This is the section in the Finance Bill on taxes and as such I appreciate the discussion, but it is also about services. Those who ask for more to be given back today will want more services to be provided tomorrow. The Government must be able to strike a balance, which is why we have been able to increase health and education spending for the first time in a number of years. The test of its focus will be whether this tax measure will help to create jobs, help people to work harder and help to reward work. That will be the litmus test. It cannot be about giving money back for the sake of it. I think Senator Aideen Heyden agrees with me in that argument.

I do not think I have forgotten to answer any point made.