Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

This morning we have another example of no senior Green Party Minister being present in the House. Day after day it is as if they do not exist. In fairness to Deputy Harney, she is in the Chamber for the opening of the Dáil session if she is around.

Yesterday, the Governor of the Central Bank stated that he expects the economy to contract by at least 6% and that it will have contracted by 10% by the end of the year. He cited unpublished estimates on what is now a very serious situation. Two weeks ago, the Tánaiste stated the public finances were under control. Last week, the Taoiseach indicated he was not aware of the scale of the problem until the Cabinet meeting where figures were produced.

In light of all the calls, from the Minister for Finance and others, for national solidarity and requests for suggestions and constructive proposals, is the Taoiseach prepared to make available to Opposition spokespersons for finance the options and information being presented to the Cabinet by the Department of Finance in respect of spending options and raising revenue to deal with the crisis? Is he prepared to make available the options sent to the Government by an bord snip which were transferred to it from every Department? If we are to make any constructive suggestions or proposals in the national interest to deal with this financial crisis then at least we should be made aware of what is on the table.

The presentation given in good faith by the Minister for Finance to Opposition spokespersons was very stark and bald in its outcome which was merely the shortfall in tax and the overspend on the current side but there was nothing in terms of the proposals being considered by the Government.

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