Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I have been considering this question since my appointment as Minister for Finance. The Taoiseach has made clear that the Government is prepared to review all increases in the context of the social partnership discussions that are under way. I do not want to pre-empt those discussions at this stage. I appreciate that the Deputy asked whether preconditions were being set. In my discussions about this with the Taoiseach I have not viewed it as a matter requiring preconditions but as a matter, as indicated by the Government through the Taoiseach, that is there for discussion in the context of the social partnership negotiations.

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