Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. Most of the time we receive report after report, many of which state different and contradictory things. It has been said that it is for politicians to make the decision as to who is right.

Professor McHale referred to taxation and fairness. The Nevin Economic Research Institute refers to freezing spending cuts and adjusting by way of taxation in 2013. I am paraphrasing to be brief. I am interested in the hearing the views of the delegates on the report of the Nevin Economic Research Institute.

I ask for brief comments on that.

I accept that what is agreed at 4 o'clock in the morning does not represent everybody's viewpoint but in its report the council is advocating further savings of €1.9 billion up to 2015. Other people advocate the idea of stopping payment of the promissory notes, cutting our national debt by €30 billion, which would lead to a year to year saving on interest payments. Has that been analysed by the council's group in terms of the fallout or does it have a view on that type of radical approach?