Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I wish to raise three matters. The first one relates to the Exchequer figures. I support Deputy Kenny's call for a debate in the House on those figures and on the changing position of the public finances. The Tánaiste's reply to Deputy Kenny underscores the need for a debate because the Labour Party would not accept that the changing economic and public finance position is entirely due to international circumstances. There is the issue of domestic decision-making and the Tánaiste's management of this area requires to be debated here. The downturn in the revenues from capital gains tax, stamp duties and so on are intimately related to what has been happening in the property market. That needs to the debated. The Ceann Comhairle is shaking his head and I understand why, but this matter needs to be debated.

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