Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Cé mhéad ama atá agam? Six minutes. As I was listening to Senator Buttimer, I thought "Oh my God, not another citizens' assembly." It seems to me that the Government reaches for a citizens' assembly every time it does not have the answer to a complex problem and every time it wants to hide behind people rather than take responsibility. The Oireachtas is the first and foremost citizens' assembly. I am all in favour of citizens' assemblies to consult and to take the temperature of public opinion. That is all well and good but we need less talk about citizens' assemblies and more talk about how we can be a more effective Oireachtas by testing Government policy, getting a genuine hearing for amendments we propose and so on instead of the rubber-stamping exercise that is very often carried on in this place.

The other thing I was struck by as I was listening to Senator Buttimer was the narrative of praise and saying that this is the best country in the world. That is a phrase I associate with politicians on the other side of the Atlantic. I take the view that we have a slightly more sophisticated view in Europe and that thinking and reflective people tend to realise that, while this country is great in some ways, it is terrible in others. That is the truth of the matter. Let us have none of this Harold Macmillan notion that we have never had it so good. The Government is playing to the gallery and has given people free contraception and this, that and the other. That is not the test of our country's welfare. Despite all the progress people can point to in many areas, which I accept, we have gone backwards in many ways as well. Until we have politicians who are ready to talk about that and fess up to it openly, we will not be doing a service to the young people in galleries whom we want to address. This country is an extremely violent place for some. It is more violent than it ever was before. There are people caught up in drug addiction and in multigenerational educational disadvantage to a greater extent than was the case in the past. This country has disimproved in many ways while improving in many others. Let us be honest. There is a lot of misery and suffering in our country. There are many people who face tremendous challenges in their lives. Senator Buttimer referenced mental health. How much was there for people with disabilities and mental health challenges in the budget?

I had a conversation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on my way into this room. He rightly pointed out to me that it is good we were able to pay for all of this without borrowing. That is true. He rightly pointed to the situation of our friends in Britain and the challenge they face right now. I observed to him that there was another side to this. I can remember when there was a big giveaway budget under Charlie McCreevy but there was a hell of a different mood in the country. There is not a celebratory mood in the country now. People are worried about what is coming around the corner. Senator Ward wants to make a comment. I will always give way to him.