Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Last year's points were made on the basis of maintaining current economic strength. In the first six months of this year the economy improved by 6.4% but there has been a different story in the second half. We will have to make decisions closer to budget time, when we know the outcome of revenue trends, where we stand on future expenditure levels, and how we will try to maintain a capital investment programme. There will be a moderation in day-to-day current expenditure next year compared to recent years.

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