Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I would like to make it clear to the Deputy that one has two options when in government. One tries to bring about a situation where one's public finance position is sustainable or one decides that it is unsustainable, does not make any decisions and continues to borrow money at a rate that is not affordable over the period of time. That is the position.

One has a budget. Limited resources are available to the State and there are priorities that have to be set out. The Government has set out its budgetary position in great detail and it stands over those decisions. Many decisions have to be taken which one would rather one would not have to consider but they have to be considered on the basis of the financial resources available. That is the duty of Government. The luxury of Opposition is to decry all decisions and suggest a painless alternative way forward where money can be obtained like manna from heaven or that one can continue with the provision of service levels that are simply not affordable in terms of the public coffers. Alternatively, the Opposition can decide there are specific alternatives and put them before us.

On the methodology of individual decisions that have to be taken, a bilateral Estimates process takes place between the Minister for Finance and individual Departments. There are also Cabinet meetings, which take broader policy decisions. Where further decisions are required in the aftermath of the bilateral Estimates process, the Government has to take those decisions.

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