This is a very important day. I am afraid that it is going to be a rather dark day. I listened with interest to the comments of the chairman of the Labour Party on radio earlier this morning. He stated that the past three budgets were unfair and that this one will be no different. Given that this comes from a significant person within the Government, we should know what to expect.

He did not say that.

As an ordinary citizen, I am of the view that the populace is going to be hit by €3.1 billion in cuts later today. Those cuts will take effect in January, February and March, which is when the pain will really be felt. In March, we are going to pay some €3.1 billion to the corrupt descendant of the former Anglo Irish Bank. That is exactly the same amount as the cuts to be made in the budget. The sums in this regard are easy. Why are we paying these people off? The money in question is just going to be put into an incinerator. It will simply disappear but the people of Ireland will be left to pay the bill. I call on the Government to refuse to accept the debt to which I refer in the new year and to adjust the budget accordingly.

Hear, hear.