Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We cannot abdicate our responsibility to make decisions in a timely fashion. The criticism of those in Opposition was that we were not making decisions quickly enough. I made it clear at the outset of the discussions in January that we had to make decisions by the beginning of February and we all understood that. There was no question of people not understanding that to be the case. Pay and pension issues had to be examined and, if we could not reach agreement, that was unfortunate but the overall framework was agreed and it was understood that pay and pensions would have to be a large part of the solution.

I am not suggesting that anyone acted in bad faith. It remains my position that everyone is seeking to act in good faith but sometimes the point arrives when decisions have to be made. Everyone knows that if those decisions were not taken, the signal that would have been sent to the international investment community and the financial community was that the Government or the country was incapable of making even one of the necessary decisions.

While it was not the total picture, it was part of the solution. If we can find the basis on which new negotiations can take place, I am willing to negotiate a comprehensive framework in order to show the detail of what was agreed in broad principle regarding what is necessary. I have been fair, honest and open about that but the other issues also have to be addressed. The competitiveness of this economy has to be addressed.

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