Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We have set out that plan and have forwarded it to the European Commission. We are beginning step one in regard to 2009 by finalising our arrangements during the coming week and bringing to the House those savings of €2 billion. That is what we intend to do. Thereafter, we will work with the social partners on an ongoing basis on the basis of an agreed framework for action as to how we deal with the problems that will arise as the recession perhaps continues, prolongs and deepens. That is what we have to do and what we are doing. To suggest we are not doing that is not to acknowledge the facts as they are.

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