Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I agree with the point Deputy Costello made in regard to stimulus packages. It is ironic that we are defending the stimulus packages introduced in other member states when we have not seen any stimulation of our own economy. Perhaps that is a debate for another day.

I refer to a point I made earlier about the extension of the deadline from 2013 to 2014, which has been confirmed. I would like some assurance from the Minister of State - perhaps he has discussed it with the Taoiseach - on the likely impact of this on the forthcoming budget. I know it is not directly related to the recent EU Council meeting but we have some latitude to go slightly beyond that. Perhaps the Minister of State will address that point, namely, my fear that this may be used as an opportunity by the Government to get out of commitments which have already been made to deliver significant savings in the December budget.

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