Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Many of my constituents are public service workers and I know the challenges they face. I know how hard they have to work. However, it is in everyone's interest that we deal responsibly with the problems we face and protect this country's future prospects.

The steps we are taking now, together with the framework for recovery published before Christmas, plan a way forward to restore us to the path of growth. That is our position. What is the position of the Labour Party, which tabled this motion? Its position just a month ago was that there was no time to wait, no time for talks with the unions.

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