Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

On 3 March, the Taoiseach stated in the House:

. . . by the end of the month we will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the framework we have set for ourselves, that is, a 9.5% general Government deficit for 2009, will be adhered to. It is important for the credibility of the country that we do so. Before the end of the month we will come forward with whatever measures are necessary, either in terms of expenditure savings or tax raising measures...We are committed to restoring the public finances to a sustainable position and action will be taken to ensure the deficit will not worsen from the forecasted figure of 9.5%.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was not clear on television last Sunday whether the shortfall is €4 billion, €4.5 billion or €6 billion. I understand from reports that a gentleman, for whom I have a great deal of respect, Dr. Alan Ahearne, has advised the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party not to be concerned about the 9.5% requirement. Irish people across every sector have said they are willing to contribute to sort out this mess and they will do so from two perspectives. First, they need to understand that their contributions will go towards sorting out the problem and, second, they need to know it is being done fairly. That cannot be done unless we are absolutely clear about what we are trying to do, about the extent of the problem and about the parameters the Government is trying to close. The Taoiseach cannot expect members of the Opposition parties to come forward with meaningful suggestions when he will not impart information to us and he will not give us clarity about the gap he is trying to close.

Will the Taoiseach tell the House and the country that the borrowing requirement will be 9.5%, as he stated in the House a few weeks ago? Is that the figure the Government will adhere to in the budget on 7 April? I ask for a "Yes" or "No" answer.

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