Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tax cuts over welfare is essential but I do not want tax cuts over essential funding for essential services.

Too many people must wait between two and four years for cancer treatments and I cite an article from one of today's national newspapers stating people have had to wait four years to be treated for a rare cancer gene but cannot afford to see a consultant. As that is the reality, we must be realistic. The coalition has been too slow to respond to the soaring fuel and food costs and we need a mini-budget.

I wish to convey some messages. Before the Oireachtas goes off on its long holidays, I expect a mini-budget to happen. We need to look at VAT and excise cuts on energy and fuel. We need to address the issues of women who could not get up this morning or yesterday morning. One woman rang my office today to say that she rises up every hour to turn her 14-year-old who suffers from scoliosis and he has waited years for treatment. That is the reality. Hundreds of people have contacted our offices to complain that they cannot get support from the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS.

As the Minister will know, the Low Pay Commission made 18 recommendations concerning a progressive living wage, which is important. The Tánaiste issued a statement in the last few days saying that a living wage would be phased in over a number of years but that is too late. Quite frankly, it is bit rich to suggest that people can wait for a few years for a living wage to be phased in when politicians in this House and in the Lower House are exceptionally well paid.

My key message is as follows. I urge the Minister not to forget that she is in government and that her party presided over all of these issues, so now to suggest that things will happen is wrong. She has been in power and has not delivered for the people or on these issues so something needs to be done.

Finally, I hope that common sense will prevail and a mini-budget is introduced before the Houses embark on the summer recess because that is needed. Either there is a crisis that must be tackled urgently or there is not. I thank Fine Gael for this Private Members' time because it has given me an opportunity to voice some of the concerns of the people who struggle day in, day out without sufficient financial resources.