Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The level of investment in social and affordable housing is unprecedented. Action in respect of all the matters under discussion can only be taken on the basis of the availability of resources. That is the position with regard to every programme ever devised. If one does not have the resources, one cannot spend them. As Fine Gael did in the past, however, one might wish to borrow money and double the national debt.

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