Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The programmes put forward in the election by Deputy Bruton's party and other parties with which it wished to coalesce were not specific when it was pointed out they were €1.7 billion above its programme commitments during the second week of the campaign. This was not Fine Gael's fault. It came from the then leader of the Labour Party who promised the sun, moon and stars to everybody.

Every programme is based on assumptions and we set out clearly what were our assumptions.

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