Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The most sobering aspect of this debate relates to the appalling figures released by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, in respect of unemployment. Proposals have not yet been put forward with regard to the immediate restoration of the flow of credit to small businesses which may, as a result of overdraft restrictions, be forced to cease their operations for want of such credit and working capital. When the Minister addressed the House in respect of banking, he indicated that the banks had made commitments to extend the level of borrowing to SMEs by 30% and 10% in different categories. That is simply not happening. What initiatives is the Government taking to restore the flow of credit?

When the Taoiseach made his announcement on Tuesday last, he did not refer to money being set aside to deal with job retention. Numerous proposals have been floated in respect of social insurance relief, schemes for export and special guarantees regarding risks taken on by businesses. What money has the Minister set aside to make provision in respect of such proposals?

Will the €2 billion reduction in borrowing to be made on foot of the measures announced on Tuesday be achieved in the current year? A gross figure of €2 billion has been provided, but there are several leakages from that. The first of these relates to the fact that the pension levy is tax allowable. The second is that once spending is removed, there will be an immediate reduction in the tax take. The third is that some of these proposals — forecast to result in savings to the tune of almost €300 million — will not come into effect this year. I calculate that the impact on borrowing of the Government's package of measures will be closer to €1 billion. Will the Minister comment on this matter?

Is the Minister open to changes in the pension levy that would provide for people at the bottom of the scale who will derive little benefit from State pensions? Would he be open to changes that would removed anomalies in the structure whereby some people on low incomes, particularly between €30,000 and €50,000, will pay higher net levies than those on higher incomes? Why have proper budgetary papers not been forthcoming from the Department of Finance? There has been no disaggregation of tax forecasts, no profile of spending or taxation for the coming months and no information regarding the impact of the Government's measures in year one, year two and year three, which is extraordinary. Why have such papers not been issued?

Will the reports from Mr. Colm McCarthy be issued prior to decisions being made? Will there be a rolling flow of decisions from the Minister throughout the year or will all the various decisions be deferred until next year's budget? The position with regard to the latter has not been made clear.

Are renegotiations other than those relating to professional fees taking place? I refer, for example, to renegotiations in respect of rents paid by the State. Have the results of the work carried out by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Mansergh, in respect of public procurement been factored in?

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