That is nonsense.

It is not and we cannot go back to them.

The Leader has not even seen the pre-budget proposals-----

I have heard Sinn Féin's spokespeople every day on radio and television promising the sun, the moon and the stars.

Absolutely.

All things for everything.

It cannot be done.

They have all been costed by the Leader's colleagues in the Department of Finance.

The Senator should talk to his colleagues-----

All of the figures are from the Department of Finance.

I ask the Leader-----

They made swingeing cuts in the North.

We will check the Government's budget when it is announced.

The Senator should talk to his colleagues in Stormont.

It is not affordable.

The Senator was a great man for figures when he was in the Department of Health.

Sinn Féin is making swingeing cuts and implementing austerity in the North of Ireland.

Nonsense.

The Leader, to continue, without interruption, please.

All I ask of Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh is that he talk to his colleagues in Stormont who will tell him what government is about because in government one cannot be all things to all people.

They are very good in government, are they not?

That is a matter of opinion.

Yes; they are managing in government very well.

The important point is that all of us who are committed in public life recognise as public servants the importance of An Garda Síochána. Equally, however, the job of the Government is to govern. The current Administration is committed to protecting the economy and not going back to the old ways. When I hear Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill lectur us, I invite members of his party to cast their minds back to when it was in government and the way in which it wrecked the country. Let us call a spade a spade. Collectively, we must make people's lives better. If that means a reduction in the universal social charge, USC, an increase in public services or a modest pay increase, let us try to do it. However, let it not be a catchall for everybody. We cannot give everybody everything he or she wants and let us not try to do so because people do not believe us anymore.

Sinn Féin is not promising tax cuts.

It is promising everything.

Not at all.

The Senator knows that I am correct.

The other point is that, regardless of whether one is in opposition or a minority Government, if one considers what the Government has available to spend, the fiscal space - I hate using the term - is limited. The ratio is 2:1 in terms of tax cuts and public expenditure. If, as Senator Paudie Coffey sought, one wishes to fund education, disability or housing services for the elderly, one must make choices. While being in government requires the making of choices, in the case of the GRA, I hope it will return to talks because all Members of the House who serve as legislators respect members of An Garda Síochána and value tremendously the work they do. However, one must go into talks and negotiate.