Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am not getting into semantics with the Deputies. I was asked about the decisions that were taken today. I can answer on the decisions taken today; I cannot answer on decisions yet to be taken. The decision taken today is that by the end of this month Government will make the necessary decisions to deal with the issue that has arisen as a result of today's figures. That is the decision taken today. When a further decision is taken in more detail, we can come back to Members in the House.

Regarding the briefing the Deputies say has been made available to them by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Lenihan, in terms of calling to the Department of Finance, as spokespersons for their parties, all of those matters can be dealt with there.

See this speech in context