Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

There is nothing more hypocritical than seeking to support an independent pay determination system that has served successive Governments for 40 years and then walk away from it when a populist argument arises that suits one's case.

On external factors that affect inflation, we do not control the price of oil. Exchange rate deterioration vis-À-vis the dollar or sterling, which makes the environment more difficult for exporters is not within the direct control of the Government.

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