Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 21 Senators who predominantly raised the measures in the budget. I will deal with them as best I can and I apologise if I miss some of the points made.

I echo the words of Senator Ned O'Sullivan. If one were to listen to the merchants of doom and gloom, we would return to the situation of 2001 and 2011 as opposed to where we are today, where more than 2 million people are at work. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, presented his sixth budget to the Dáil today. Sinn Féin voted against every measure, despite voting for the bank guarantee scheme. Let us get the facts right. Its Members come to this House, week in and week out, and they are for nothing and against everything. Let us call a spade a spade.