Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We are straying well beyond, but we are running a country with a GDP of in excess of €200 billion. The current and capital expenditure allocation tops €60 billion and we must ensure that there is proper political accountability for all such expenditure. The issue is what is government costing the taxpayer and how to make it as efficient and effective as possible. It is not left to any committee or anyone else to decide how the Government is organised. That is decided by the Government or the Taoiseach of the day. The Government must reduce its costs in the same way as every other area. The Deputy will find that the way to do so is a matter for judgment and for decision at any time. I have indicated that the quickest way of getting the costs saved is by a 10% reduction across all offices.

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