Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

——in a far stronger position than previously. We will be obliged to ensure that we take prudent corrective action. We must not defer the necessary corrective action because if we do so, we will face more difficult times in the future. We will make our decisions in this regard on the basis of the publication of the mid-year Exchequer returns tomorrow. The Minister for Finance will make a statement on those matters and the Government will make its decisions appropriately, prudently and quickly as a result.

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