Well said.

I broadly welcome the budget.

Good man.

Absolutely. Like Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, I am disappointed immediate effect is not being given to the social welfare increases. The litmus test of a society or democracy is how it treats its old age pensioners, in particular. Whatever boom and doom occurred and whatever destruction took place in the economy, it certainly was not the fault of old age pensioners. They have no options and their circumstances are highly circumscribed. I am glad that the Minister was able to do something for them in the budget. It vindicates the position adopted by my party leader, Deputy Micheál Martin. We have been criticised by Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, but Fianna Fáil took the responsible road by entering into a confidence and supply arrangement with the Fine Gael Party. Will we ever forget how Sinn Féin members were so terrified when the negotiations were taking place? They were like rabbits caught in the headlights for as long as the talks went on-----

Nonsense.

-----for fear the finger would be pointed at them and they would eventually have to step up to the mark and do something responsible which they will never do on either side of the Border.

Absolute nonsense. Fianna Fáil is co-signatory of the budget.

The Senator has seen the example of Martin McGuinness.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan to continue, without interruption, please, but he is inviting challenge.

Deputy Micheál Martin deserves great credit for the increases in education.

The de facto coalition.

He made it a red line issue and made it clear that our party considered education to be vital. We must be realistic. The economy has recovered immensely and we will give credit where it is due.

For whom?

The economy is the economy.

For whom did it improve?

We face a huge problem with Brexit, but if we all act responsibly, if everybody puts his or her shoulder to the wheel and if people will stop sitting on the fence and throwing abuse all of the time, we will make progress.

I welcome and draw the Leader's attention to the wonderful announcement made today by Shannon Airport of the new service provided by SAS, Scandinavian Airlines. SAS has been operating in Ireland for 50 years, but this service will be important for the mid-west. It will give entrepreneurs and business people in the mid-west access to the Norwegian market and, through SAS, access to over 22 other airlines. It is a huge hub for us, a big opportunity for business people and a huge opportunity for tourism interests in counties Clare, Galway, Kerry and the mid-west which has been welcomed by the chief executive officer of Fáilte Ireland. A couple of years ago there was talk that Shannon Airport was going to be mothballed and there was much doom and gloom. A number of us stood up for it when it was under pressure, including men and women from counties Clare and Kerry. It is good news for the mid-west on budget day. I congratulate those responsible for Shannon Airport and ask the Leader to take note of it and ensure further support will be given to the airport, as required.