Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I reject the contention by Deputy Kenny that the Government has chosen the soft option. All taxpayers are facing difficulties as a result of the supplementary budget we had to introduce yesterday, and we are cognisant of that. At the same time, however, there is a recognition in the country that these are necessary steps. Bringing order back to our public finances is a absolute prerequisite for economic recovery and I hope people will accept that as the motivation of the Government in coming forward with these proposals.

Further, with regard to Deputy Kenny's mention of soft options, gross expenditure savings in 2009 under this supplementary budget will amount to €1.46 billion in 2009 and €1.8 billion in a full year. That is in addition to savings of €1.8 billion announced by the Government in February and savings and efficiencies of €1 billion announced in July of last year.

See this speech in context