Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The Minister for Finance then introduced a budget, the figures relating to which were wrong. Last week we were informed that an announcement would be made in respect of an economic strategy but the Taoiseach has now stated that such a strategy is already in place. The only difficulty in that regard is that the rest of us do not know the nature of that strategy.

We were informed yesterday that the Government's revenue from tax will be €2 billion less than it calculated only seven weeks ago in the budget. The Minister for Finance indicated on radio this morning that there will not be a mini-budget and that taxes will not be increased. I presume, therefore, that the shortfall in the tax take will be balanced by the introduction of cuts in expenditure. In the budget, the Government set down its intention to save €2 billion and we are aware of the consequences to which this will give rise for pensioners, the unemployed, class sizes etc. Obviously, it is now contemplating making savings of a further €2 billion. The only problem is that the Minister for Finance has now indicated his intention to wait until the figures for December emerge in order that the Government will be in a better position to judge what it is going to do at the end of the year. It is a case of live horse and you will get grass.

When will the Taoiseach publish a strategy — written in plain language and easily understandable — that will outline the direction in which the economy is going and the leadership the Government intends to provide in respect of this matter? He might also indicate what are the November unemployment figures, which are due to be published in 15 minutes.

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