Ian Marshall (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Any budget will present exceptional circumstances and challenges. An air of realism and pragmatism must be applied to this budget. The absence of any really damning headlines this morning probably indicates that even though yesterday's budget will not satisfy all, it goes part of the way to delivering what Ireland needs. To echo the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy's, comments yesterday, we will use all of the tools at our disposal in agriculture and other industries, such as genetics and technology, to improve efficiency and ultimately drive behavioural change in business. A Brexit-ready budget is always challenging, especially in the absence of information and clarity on what the future really looks like. Putting the jigsaw together when one does not know the shape of the pieces is not straightforward. The next few weeks and months will be critical for all businesses, big and small, as the Brexit negotiations progress, and for Ireland, the UK and Europe. History will be the judge of the outworking of these negotiations. Ireland's economic success must be commended but complacency must be avoided. An unremarkable budget could risk presenting itself as someone warming his or her feet at the fire while the house burns down around him or her. We do not need headline-grabbing budgets this moment. I give credit to all the authors of this budget for delivering a pragmatic, considered approach to building Ireland for the future.