Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In regard to that particular matter, an option that was available was to cut rates. I am responding to the Deputy's leader. One of the options for the Government to consider was the cutting of rates, but it was not taken up on the last occasion. Not only were there no cuts in rates but, as I have indicated, there was an increase of between 3% and 3.8% in rates against the background of a disinflationary rate of 4% this year. During the times when resources were available to the Government in far greater measure than is the case now, the social welfare provision did not simply meet the inflationary effect, as was the policy of a Government in which the Labour Party was centrally involved, but far exceeded inflationary targets, and rightly so, in line with national anti-poverty strategy commitments and targets, many if not all of which were met by this Administration when it had the capacity to do so.

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