Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)

I beg to differ with the honourable Member from south Kerry who now sits in a high position. The precedent during the years in the House has been that if legislation or business is promised, either inside or outside the House, it is a legitimate matter for questioning here.

I recently heard the Minister for Social and Family Affairs on "News at One" tell the nation that there would be no cutbacks in her Department and that the pinch would be felt by other Departments. I have heard promises of €500 million of cutbacks, savings, adjustments or whatever one may wish to call them from the Minister for Finance who says he is in the unfortunate position of being in that Department.

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