Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

That is the purpose of the debate. Regarding future decisions to be made by the Government and to be brought to the House and debated, that option is available to us and, I am sure, will be availed of in the coming weeks and months as well. It is a question of the House giving an opportunity to all Members to set out what they believe to be the issues and the means by which we can sustain economic renewal and secure our public finances. This issue is of concern to the people.

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