I, too, am delighted to be able to speak about this Bill. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le iar-Theachta agus iar-Chathaoirleach coiste Joe Carey. In fairness to him, during his time as committee Chair, he did a lot of work on this legislation. I wish him well with his health and thank him. I also thank Michael Kingston, barrister, who assisted me and members of the transport committee greatly. He worked closely with Joe Carey. This legislation is so badly needed. I wish well Deputy Lawless, the new Aire St…

The budget, despite its promises of tax cuts, increased welfare payments and infrastructural projects, continues the trend of wasteful spending. The Government has been criticised for the runaway cost of projects like the new children’s hospital, which is old at this stage, the hut outside Government Buildings, which cost €1.4 million, and a bike stand that cost €336,000. Now, €9 million has been allocated for mobile phone pouches for schoolchildren, a decision that has raised eyebrows as another example of the rec…

They can rob the State so and it is not-----

We can rob the State and it is not breaking any law.

But it is daylight robbery.

I have no interest in withdrawing it because it is blatant.

Thank you. It is blatant. I referred to Tusla overpayment. According to the annual report of their own public accounts, in case the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach tells me this is something else, they have an overspend of €1.25 million on wages. Is that not daylight robbery? What is that? In their own public accounts, they have the audacity-----

I am being ana cúramach ar fad-----

-----but this is the problem with Government. It is too careful. It is not with the ordinary people. It crucifies them and persecutes them-----

Big agencies like this are milking the taxpayer and they are doing untold harm to families. I want that on the record because I maintain that. The OPW seems to be licensed to do what it likes. I had great respect for the OPW over the years. They have many good projects and many good staff, but there are the cases I cited there - the bike shed and the hut, and God knows how many more that we do not know about. I remember one time the former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, being in my company and that of Dr. Martin Mansergh,…

You broke your heart.

What about the aeroplanes?

You did not help the hospitality sector.

If they have a GP.

Not a bit of relief.

The Government lost the referendum.

I first want to wish the best to our usher team leader, Tara Humpston. It is her first day as team leader in the Chamber. She has done a mighty job and there was not a word out of place today. We were all very quiet. This budget is like the curate's egg - good in spots. However, there are a lot of spots in it that can go awfully bad and can turn into what we know in the country as a glugger. That is what is going to happen because of reckless spending. We have to welcome the energy tax credits. Struggling home owne…

This is utterly useless. It is useless, fruitless and toothless. Four out of every ten houses now are being bought by conglomerates from abroad. Did you ever see the beat of it? We are in a housing crisis and the Government will not wake up to the fact it is a housing crisis. We have different schemes to get houses built, we are talking about output and whatever else, and yet we are selling off 40% of them to foreign entities. We had a kite-flying exercise by the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, some weeks ago w…

And pain.

I too want to issue a fíor fáilte to Cara Darmody and her father, Mark. I wish her two brothers and mother, who are at home, well. I know the Darmody family all my life. I know Cara's grandfather and grandmother. They are a hard-working, decent family. Why does Cara Darmody have to leave her school to come up here in the rain today, as she does every day, to lobby for a law that has been broken? The Tánaiste has been talking about his opinion. He is in power. He met Cara as Taoiseach and as Tánaiste. She has met th…