Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Obviously the Competition Authority report will be considered by the Cabinet when the Tánaiste presents it in due course, probably next week or the week after. The important point on competitiveness in the economy is the need to continue with the direction of policy that has been validated by people outside and domestically in terms of the need to bring order to the public finances, to look to further means by which we can control spending and to find a viable and sustainable way forward through that path primarily.

If it is the Deputy's intention to support such measures, I look forward to the support of any part of the House, because it is important that this be proceeded with in a way that enhances competitiveness. As part of that we looked at public sector pay and pensions as an important component of total and overall current expenditure and we introduced in February a pensions levy that did not win the support of anyone else in the House although it improves our position.

It is also a question of making sure we can find a way those in permanent and pensionable jobs can assist those whose jobs are at risk or who have no pensions. Finding a progressive and fair way forward is always a matter of political judgment and can be always open to criticism. Ultimately, however, there is no painless panacea.

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