Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We agreed some weeks ago to extend the sittings of the House to accommodate the debate. The Minister for Finance will come to the House and it will be an opportunity for everybody to discuss the situation based on the information and range of data that will be available, from the Exchequer returns, the Central Bank's quarterly bulletin and CSO reports. The Government will make its decision on the basis of those figures. We have heard enough criticism of us for not coming to the House but we will be in the Chamber next week to set out the position according to the Minister for Finance. That is what the people expect.

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