Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

In the light of the end-February Exchequer returns, however, further action now is necessary. Accordingly, the Government will consider what additional measures now are required to restore order and ensure that we stick to the agreed framework agreed by all earlier this year. It already has stated that it must restore the current budget position to balance by 2013 in order that it is not borrowing to pay for day-to-day spending. The Government remains vigilant and is committed to continuing to take the difficult decisions that are necessary to ensure the stabilisation and sustainability of the public finances. It hopes it can obtain the support of the social partners and the parties opposite to deliver on this commitment. However, it will not be deterred from doing its duty to this country.

Several important ongoing processes will continue to inform our actions. This is not a matter of outsourcing decision-making but of sharing, within the Department of Finance, the expertise of others in arriving at decisions that will be taken by the Government. The special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes will report to me in the coming months and make proposals to the Government on additional options for expenditure controls.

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