Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Earlier in the debate I heard Deputy Kenny indicate that he was willing to engage with the Government on his alternatives. In late August I wrote to Deputy Kenny and made it clear to him that my officials and I were prepared to engage on a confidential basis with any proposals he might like to make in that regard. That offer remains open. I am more than open to working with all the parties in the House to resolve the problem.

Others had the luxury of indulging in abstractions and recrimination - I am not referring to the Opposition parties. The Government needed to act and it did. Our critics say we should have done things differently. While they are entitled to their views, nobody can deny that the Government took brave and decisive steps when they were needed because we care about the economy and the citizens of this country.

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