Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have already stated to the House that the purpose of the special group appointed last December to review the scope for reducing or eliminating spending programmes and to look at the recommendations for reducing public service numbers was to help us to return to a sustainable public finance position. That must be considered by the Government in the first instance. I cannot anticipate what decisions will be made on the report. It was sought for this time of the year, so that it could provide for a timely input into the Estimates and budgetary process. That begins from this time of the year, so the report's recommendations will be considered and decisions will be made by the Government. It is far too early to make any suggestions——

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