Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I would have expected the Taoiseach to provide the figures for the Exchequer returns to be published in a few minutes' time and indicate whether they were consistent with the projected €18 billion deficit announced in January. Also, I would have expected him to tell us what decisions were taken by the Government today as referred to in the Private Members' motion.

The problem throughout the country is that no one can plan for the future. No business can plan for investment because it does not have a plan or strategy from the Government. People do not know what the Government's intentions are in respect of borrowing reductions in 2009, 2010 and 2011. That is the reason it is necessary to face the reality that the public finances are under extreme pressure. A fair and comprehensive budget is needed covering all sectors to allow the people to buy into it. If they knew the scale of the problem and that their contribution was going some way towards dealing with it, they would be prepared to get back to a point where they would have some confidence where there is none. It is the duty of the Taoiseach to set out the economic landscape for the next three to five years. That landscape is bleak. Therefore, people do not confidence to invest or spend. That is what is causing the crisis of confidence in their personal and business lives. It is the responsibility of the Taoiseach to deal with this. This is the forum of the people. Will he provide the figures for the Exchequer returns which are due to be published in a few minutes' time? What do the figures mean? Is the figure €18 billion or greater? What decisions did the Government take this morning?

In the amendment to the Fine Gael Private Members' motion the Taoiseach "notes the Government decision today to announce further measures by the end of this month to ensure the stabilisation and sustainability of the public finances". Is that simply a decision to announce action at the end of the month, or is it a decision that will at least make some effort to stabilise and sustain the public finances? That is the crisis of confidence. There is no point screaming blue murder about every sector without setting out the Government agenda, plan and strategy for 2009, 2010 and 2011. If the people could see the economic landscape in so far as the Government can predict it properly and make decisions about it, they could at least plan their lives and businesses in such a way that investment, confidence, fairness and opportunity could be restored. In respect of the decision taken by the Government today, will the Taoiseach indicate if it will take the form of a series of announcements to be made at the end of the month? Will he inform the House of the decisions made this morning to enable us to begin debating them and in order that the people will understand that at last, following Fine Gael's call, there is a strategy or plan in place for 2009, 2010 and 2011?

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