Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am trying to answer questions raised by Deputy Kenny. I can answer other questions when those Deputies are in a position to raise them as well.

The OECD confirmed that between 1995 and 2005, the second greatest rate of increases in health spending occurred in this country. We are applying €14.2 billion to the health service this year, which represents €9,730 for every taxpayer in the country. This represents practically the full take of income tax to the Exchequer revenue for this year. There is a considerable allocation of resources and we must work within those budgetary parameters to meet the situation to which the Deputy referred in the first part of his comments. The second part of the Deputy's comment tried to disregard that aspect.

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