Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have already answered Deputy Kenny regarding the health situation and have indicated that the need for more efficiencies and effective delivery of services is a critical part of maintaining services in the health service next year. That is on the basis that €14.7 billion is being made available to the health service, an increase which takes account of the €580 million cost of the nursing home subvention scheme over this year. Negotiations are ongoing between management and unions and there is every indication that we will achieve the work practice changes necessary to ensure that we have flexibilities, deliver services to the front line to the greatest extent possible and minimise adverse impacts on patients. That is the purpose of the exercise.

In regard to the banks, I have outlined the situation to the Deputy. The recapitalisation policy was enunciated in detail last Sunday. Proposals must now come from the banks with which we are in negotiations. It must be understood that the only interests I have are the stability of the financial system so that we have a banking system that serves the modern economy we have built and protecting the interests of the taxpayer in that effort. These are our primary considerations in dealing with the matter. We have indicated that proposals should be brought before the Government in early January.

The committees will return on 7 January and we will be involved in trade delegations to support Irish industry abroad. We will ensure the Government returns on 7 January. The Government is working hard, despite what Deputy Gilmore wants to say.

See this speech in context