There is no break-down of the tax package in the 25 measures, many of which are illusory. The Government initiative is that discussions are taking place with the European Investment Bank to consider the feasibility of support being granted by the bank. That is beautiful bureaucratic language. How about that for a classic piece of non-action and gobbledygook?

I am greatly concerned by the measures in the budget that specifically affect the most vulnerable of older people, the house-bound and those living alone. The sickest and poorest of older people will be hardest hit. The abolition of the telephone allowance as part of the household benefits package will hit those who are most dependent on the telephone to remain in contact with neighbours and friends. It hits the house-bound, those living alone and those in remote areas who already feel so vulnerable to crime and break-ins. The telephone allowance played a huge role in keeping older people safe and in touch with friends and family. Many older people now live in fear that the alarm system linked to their telephones will be cut off. The cut to the telephone allowance will leave many older people unable to communicate with anyone. It will have a very detrimental effect, leaving many completely isolated and forced to fend for themselves.

On a good note, I compliment the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for trade and development, Deputy Joe Costello, on his newly launched initiative to assist Irish people to volunteer in the developing world. The initiative enables a greater number of skilled Irish volunteers to work overseas. According to an article in The Irish Times two or three weeks ago the Minister of State was looking for people up to the age of 65 years. I spoke to him about this yesterday and he said absolutely not. We in this Chamber are for the abolition of mandatory retirement and the Minister of State is giving great example by saying any age group can travel and join the voluntary service.

It is important to clarify that none of us on this side of the House ever referred to the budget as a soft one. I take issue with that comment.

Senators were beaming in the House yesterday.

That is a most unfair characterisation.

It is not. I looked.

Senator Bacik is to speak without interruption.

I saw the body language.

Senator Ivana Bacik should read the editorial in The Irish Times.

Senator Ivana Bacik to continue, without interruption.

With respect, none of us writes the editorials in The Irish Times.

Yes, but the Senator goes by them.

I have great admiration for Senator Mary White and she is generally a very fair commentator and has very fairly commended some aspects of the budget. I admire that and that is important. None of us said it was a soft budget. There are measures in it that we all regret deeply, particularly, as Senator Mary White said, the cuts in the household benefits package. Personally, I find the cut in the top rate of maternity benefit most regrettable. In the circumstances in which we find ourselves, it was a very difficult decision for the Government to make and I do not see other political parties offering an alternative way to achieve the focus on jobs. I do not think that any of us should apologise for the budget being focused on job creation.

I take issue with any criticism of the retention of the 9% VAT rate. This is a job creation measure. It has been proved that the reduction in the VAT rate in the hospitality and tourism sector creates jobs. We were lobbied very hard and ustifiably for that retention. I do not think anyone should criticise the retention of that rate or say that in some way it is not a job creation measure.

I did not criticise it. It is carrying the can for the budget on jobs.

I agree, however, with the Senator and support her call for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to come to the House to speak on the adoption crisis. As the Senator recalls, we have long had issues with this, not just with Russia but some years ago there were delays in the conclusion of an agreement between Ireland and Vietnam. Many families who were halfway through concluding adoption agreements in Vietnam were left in a very difficult, sad and traumatic position. That matter was resolved eventually, but we do need now to consider resolving the issue with the Russian-Irish adoption agreements. I very much support the Senator's call to invite the Minister to speak to us about it.

I also ask for a debate on positive action for the promotion of women in business and public life. We have a proud history in this House. We commenced the Bill which brought in gender quotas in political parties for the next general election, the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011. Senator Mary White and others have led the way on the terms for promotion of women in business and in public life. This would be an appropriate time to have this debate, given that two more women judges have just been appointed to the Supreme Court, Ms Justice Mary Laffoy and Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne. I commend their appointment and would like to see a broad debate on that issue.

I think we all welcome the apparent resolution of the crisis in the United States and the stand-off between the government and the Legislature there because that would have been a very serious issue, with a very serious knock-on effect for international recovery generally.