Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Taoiseach's reply. What is the cost of the programme for Government which he says has been fully costed? I have not seen that figure published anywhere. The Minister for Finance says it is a matter that will be kept private, if it has been costed at all. I am glad the Taoiseach has indicated that it has been costed.

Against that background, the cost of the Fianna Fáil programme, which was costed, was €7.5 billion. The Minister for Finance has published tax projections for 2010 in his recent budget statement and they indicate that tax revenue will be €6.3 billion short of what was expected at the time the Fianna Fáil programme was published. Is the Taoiseach indicating to the House his belief that this €7.5 billion programme, plus the additional commitments from the Green Party which we have not seen costed, can be delivered even though the tax revenue will be at least €6.3 billion short in 2010 and there is no confidence that will be made up in the following years? The Minister's new economic growth forecast does not suggest it will be made up. Does the Taoiseach still believe this programme can be implemented, as he appears to suggest in his reply?

In light of the Taoiseach's new realism about the state of the economy, reflected in his statement earlier this week, will he accept that those commitments are not possible and that we need a new medium-term strategy to guide both economic and social policy in the coming five years, based on a realistic assessment of the resources that will be available? Is he not participating in an elaborate fooling of the public by continuing to present to the House a programme for Government that is no longer affordable? No Member of this House, either behind the Taoiseach or on these benches, believes it is affordable within the resources. The Taoiseach might clarify his expectations.

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