Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It has clearly said it will take €2 billion in savings out of expenditures this year. The Government has met to discuss the matter and will finalise arrangements next Tuesday and then make an announcement. In the meantime, we are in discussions and engaging with the social partners to inform us regarding the choices we wish to make in that matter, and to build support for the effort in which we are engaged. If the criticisms is that we should do so in isolation from other stakeholders in society, that is the Deputy's opinion, but it is not mine.

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