Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Minister, Deputy Ryan, and I have had discussions on the matter. We are eager to ensure we plan for the years ahead in budgetary terms in order to allow people to meet their energy requirements through exploitation of the greener home scheme and various other schemes instigated by his predecessor. The Minister, in an effort to ensure proper management of his budget this year, is making arrangements, by way of discussion, not alone for this year but for future years. Detailed discussions in this regard will take place prior to the forthcoming budget. Given the new budgetary reforms, the Estimates will show existing levels of service provision for next year with all taxation and expenditure decisions being made on budget day.

I do not wish to anticipate the outcome of our discussions except to say that both the Minister and I, recognising the importance of these schemes and the role they can play in the future, intend to reach some decisions in our bilateral discussions.

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