Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis as ucht an Bille seo. I hope this Bill will put us on the right track as we emerge from Covid-19. It is important that we are publishing our Finance Bill while we try to walk a tightrope on matters relating to Brexit and Covid-19. It is the backdrop because these matters are affecting people. Many Members have spoken about businesses, employers and employees affected by the catastrophe that is Covid-19.

It is worth reflecting on the role of the Government in producing a finance Bill. In recent weeks and months I have wished that the commentariat, opinion writers and Opposition would reflect on the nature of government in the context of a crisis. The target measures put together by the Government are about ensuring support for people who are working and taking risks. To be fair to some of the Opposition, they have demonstrated a measured and reasoned approach instead of a scattergun philosophy.