Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The downturn is taking place in every economy. What we must do and are intent on doing is to bring to the Dáil within three weeks a budget proposal that will set out clearly what the expenditure issues must be. With less revenue coming in it is clear economies must be made. What we must contend with are what our priorities will be as they relate to the capital programme and what the issues will be regarding the protection of tax breaks. That work is ongoing within Government now and has been for the past number of weeks. The issue will crystallise on that day. In the meantime, if Deputy Kenny wishes to engage in a three-hour debate on the economy, today and tomorrow, which he is entitled to request and is his prerogative, we will engage with him in such a debate.

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