Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am talking about over and above our current budgetary position. We have introduced an income levy and some minor changes in capital taxes as part of our balanced approach and in light of a gross return on revenue of €2.3 billion. We also had cutbacks in the context of the July decision, which will have an impact of €1 billion. Further economies were also brought about as a result of the processes relating to the budget and the Estimates. We achieved a balance between raising taxes and introducing expenditure cuts.

I want to return to the point Deputy Kenny made about who has a strategy. He spoke about the need for a reduction of €5 billion——

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