Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the other points raised by Deputy Gilmore, on the question of economic recovery, the Government has based its programme on the agreed programme for Government. A new economic situation has emerged over the past six months and we will set out a framework which will shape the debate around the social partnership talks that will take place in the coming weeks. What we must do is rely on some of the strengths of this economy which we have built up over the past ten years. The totally negative way in which this economy is being portrayed in every respect by the Opposition is not a fair appraisal of an economy that is under stress and——

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