Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The budget pie has been cut so thinly that no one is going to get fat on it. The Seanad does not have the power to introduce Money Bills. I am somewhat perplexed by the complexity of this. For the past few weeks we have been told about the Government’s engagement with Fianna Fáil to work through a budget. We heard earlier on "Morning Ireland" that there was ongoing consultation. The choreography looked great. I am somewhat surprised. A woman stopped me as I was crossing the street to discuss several issues and asked what good is a fiver for an old age pensioner and what is anyone doing about the local property tax and the hundreds of euro that a widow has to pay because the previous Administration introduced that tax, which is remaining in place under the current Government.Where is the issue of local government reform? What is the cost? Let us put away the fancy figures and talk some simple language. What does the budget do for carers, new entrants to the Garda Síochána, new primary teachers and new nurses? There are ongoing pay disputes with many of these groups. What will happen? Let us talk basics. How many shillings are going to be in people's pockets at the end of the week? I am not too sure who the citizens should be annoyed with, the Government or the main Opposition. I understand the politics. On the radio today, somebody talked about stability. This is not about stability for the economy, the nation or people. It is about political stability for the politicians, to secure themselves in their seats and offices for a little longer. If one calls that success, it will be successful.

I turn to the main Opposition and ask what they will do. To abstain is to acquiesce. If they wanted reform, they had their opportunity, and they should have done something about it. They come here and go to the other House and bellyache about a missed opportunity. I do not want to hear the words "missed opportunity". They have had loads of opportunities. The Government and the main Opposition are in it together. By abstaining, they acquiesce. They should amend, do something. I understand the politics and the distance that must be kept so the Opposition can never be contaminated. They must always be right and ready. The strategists on the fourth floor in Leinster House 2000 might have another plan or vision. This is about reality and politics. We have to leave here and return to our constituents and talk to people about the real effect of the budget and the people who are hurting. I have a neighbour who sits on a wall every week waiting for her pension and has not got a bean other than her pension. Who cares about her? What is being done for her? It is very important.

On a positive note, I thank the Government for its proposal of €1.2 billion for the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and the vision of rebuilding Ireland. I single out the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, who has demonstrated his commitment, vigour and enthusiasm to deliver. There is no question of it and if we are honest we can agree. However, while the plans are great, he must deliver and we must see the money. The increase in the tax free allowance for room rental from €12,000 to €14,00 is to be welcomed. The pension issue is a joke. It is the little things that matter. Last week on the Commencement debate, I challenged the Fine Gael deputy leader and former Minister for Health, Senator James Reilly, who was in the Chamber when he said he would be extremely disappointed if the Minister did not come into the House next week - that is today - and restore the telephone rental for old age pensioners. It has not been restored. What does this say about the chairman of Fine Gael who stood up in the Seanad and said he would be disappointed if it did not happen and that he expected it maybe over two years. He has not delivered. It is a terrible thing. A simple measure that could have been done was to deliver the telephone rental to old age pensioners and he had not done it. It is a mean, lousy thing, like the €5, like restoring the Christmas bonus to only 85%. These are little things but they mean a lot when one is vulnerable and lives on the edge. It is up to us as politicians to hold the Government to account and, week in week out, demand it delivers in terms of its programme for Government and budget. I thank the Minister for taking the time to come here and listen to us.