Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Social partnership, which has been hanging by a thread, was weakened considerably to the point that ICTU stated last week that the agreement would not be passed if the Taoiseach persisted with the Lenihan levy in the form in which it was proposed. Is it not obvious that the Budget Statement has now become a discussion document? It is negotiable at all turns. On this issue, because of the fear of the collapse of social partnership, the Cabinet decided this morning that the Lenihan levy would not apply——

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