Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

——is to bring forward savings of €2 billion in the immediate term. We will do that. We will do it on the basis of the social partnership approach in which we are engaged. We will use the course of this month to achieve that common approach. I believe that progress is being made. I cannot say tonight that we have agreement on those issues, but I believe that the process of engagement is the best method by which we can bring the country behind us to face up to the real situation out there at the moment.

In making that case, it is often portrayed as an attempt by the Government to abdicate its responsibility. That is far from the case. It is the Government's responsibility, in the interests of a successful implementation of such a consolidation programme, to have people behind us and to speak to those people who represent legitimate stakeholders in society, such as employers, employees, trade unions, farmers and the voluntary pillar——-

See this speech in context