Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

While the Chief Whip welcomed Fine Gael's proposals, they will have to be examined in detail. I do not wish to throw cold water on the initiative the Deputy took on behalf of his party but we would not necessarily agree with the approach. We are in an advanced stage of the budgetary process and it needs to be finalised over the next several days. These matters put in the public realm by Deputy Kenny can be debated on the floor of the House in due course when we can give our considered views on them.

There is nothing under discussion in social partnership that is not already in the public domain. The framework has been published, people are aware of its contents, the principles that inform it and the discussions taking place. The Government, as a public sector employer with a difficult financial situation with which to contend, can only examine proposals or submissions made by any of the parties to these discussions in the context of their overall contribution to maintaining the public finances in good order. There is very little room to manoeuvre in many of these areas, unless an alternative proposal is made which keeps the Government in a position in which it can obtain savings of the order required. I do not see how the basic proposal of the levy can be withdrawn. It is not possible with the financial situation we face. We will examine all proposals in good faith.

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