Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 14 Senators for their contributions to the Order of Business. I join Senator Conway-Walsh in expressing our comhbhrón le muintir Molloy as ucht bás Tom Molloy, to sympathise with the Molloy family on the passing of Tom Molloy whom Senator Conway-Walsh eloquently described as a wonderful musician and part of a fantastic family. Our sympathies go to the family on its very sad loss.

Senator Mark Daly raised the issue of the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, growth forecast and the budget. The important point for the Senator to recognise is that talks are going on about the budget. This day fortnight it will be revealed. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, is finalising his budget package and is engaging with members of the Senator's party on it. There will be lots of speculation, lots of kite-flying and hyperbole around the budget. It is important to recognise that the ESRI figures acknowledge that the Irish economy is growing and there is a need for a prudent approach to be taken but that there are risks and, as we know and Senators Feighan and Leyden have said, Brexit is the most substantial risk we face. We will have to face it. There is no such thing as a good Brexit. Brexit is bad. The status quowill not remain. There will be profound change, no matter what happens in the final outcome of Brexit because what we have now will not be the way. That will not stop Senator Mark Daly or others from criticising the Government but Brexit is not good and will have a profound impact. Senator Murnane O'Connor can nod her head all she wants. It is the fact whether Fianna Fáil or we or the Labour Party are in government.