Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Government is acting on this matter by bringing forward the date of the budget to 14 October, which is the most important decision that has been made. It is an indication of the seriousness of the intent of Government to take whatever decisions are necessary to meet, as Deputy Kenny has said, the new economic situation we now face. While I do not intend getting involved in a debate during Leaders' Questions this morning on the record of the Government, which we can defend, it is a question of facing up to the situation with which we are confronted. That is exactly what the Government is doing. I wish to make it clear that on budget day on 14 October we will have an opportunity to put forward a balanced and coherent plan which sets out the priorities for Government in the context of the new situation we face. We believe that is the responsible, right, appropriate and proper thing to do in the context of the challenges confronting us, quite apart from the international financial situation we face.

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