A FIANNA Fail backbencher described the Government as, "spending junkies". They had "deluded themselves into believing that they can spend their way back to government", said Mr Liam Fitzgerald (Dublin North East) during resumed debate on the Budget.
"This Government can't stop spending," he said. "They can't resist the temptation to spend.
Whenever anyone has the audacity to point this out to them, their standard response is where would you cut? That is the response of a Government that is totally out of its depth. It is not as if we are getting value for money for the billions we are over spending."
Every major western economy was reducing government interference in people's lives. They were reducing spending and taxes. Why, he asked, was our Government going in the opposite direction?
He was concerned about the way in which economic commentators, financial experts and "the stockbroking elite" rushed to the barricades to praise the Budget.
"One would have thought it was their professional duty to challenge the reckless irresponsible over spending of so many Government departments. With phenomenal growth, almost zero inflation and money pouring in from Europe at a rate never before experienced - and never likely to be repeated - this Government had a very clear duty to take a radical step in the management of our economy."
Mr Dan Wallace (FF, Cork North Central) said that given the excellent economic climate in which the Budget was introduced very little use was made of the opportunity to reduce the gap between rich and poor. Those most in need were the elderly, unemployed, lone parents, widows and those suffering from persistent illness and disability.
The overall cohesion of society was particularly dependent on the quality and scope of the social welfare system. "The need for a clear indication of support for social welfare recipients has never been as profound, given the climate of growth and expansion in the economy.
Mr Brendan McGahon (FG, Louth) said there were hundreds of people who were not prepared to work any longer. "Instead of creating a caring society we are creating a lazy society."
A limit must be placed on social welfare and no young person of 18 should be given £65 a week if they were offered work and refused to take it up. There were employers looking for workers but found no one ready to work.