Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

In the coming weeks, the Government will consider all options necessary to restore the public finances to sustainability, focusing on the additional measures required for this and next year. I am arranging for my Department to brief the principal Opposition spokespersons and the social partners on the latest position. My officials will set out the scale of borrowing required and the income and spending projections likely over the next two years. I would also like to extend an invitation to the Opposition to submit any proposals it might have to the Secretary General of my Department for costing by my officials.

The fiscal strategy we adopt now is of fundamental importance to the future of this country. We must all play our part in dealing with this unprecedented downturn.

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