Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.

As I have stated previously in the House, it is the Government's intention to use the coming period to afford the Government partners the opportunity to look at how we are progressing in achieving the goals set out in the programme for Government. We will pursue this work throughout the summer recess.

The programme for Government makes clear that its delivery is based on a growth rate of 4.5%. It was negotiated prior to the worst global economic downturn since the 1930s. Our review is about ensuring the programme for Government reflects current economic realities. There is also a precedent for such a review, as has been the case in previous Governments. Along with reviewing the existing programme, a review will also allow us to see where the various policies we have developed over the past two years can be better integrated into our plans for developing Ireland up to 2012. I particularly refer to the ambitious Smart Economy document which we published before Christmas. The review will also underline the considerable amount of the programme for Government that has already been achieved.

To date, organisations such as the IMF, the European Commission and the ESRI have broadly recognised that the policies we are pursuing are the right ones to get Ireland working again. The review will be informed by the five-year economic plan as agreed with the European Commission, the work of the Commission on Taxation which is due to report next month, and the analysis and advice provided to Government by the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes. We are determined to undertake a comprehensive review of the programme and we expect to have this process brought to a conclusion in the autumn.

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