Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As Deputy Kenny stated, this matter was debated yesterday. Obviously, we will assess constructive proposals from any party in the House in respect of these matters. I do not wish to dismiss or guarantee the Deputy that Fine Gael's proposal will feature in the taxation proposals from the Minister for Finance who will make the decisions in this regard, bring them before Cabinet following which they will be outlined to the Dáil on 9 December.

We all recognise, in the context of the debate in terms of protection of employment, the need to avoid increasing marginal rates of tax if we want to maintain employment and to create further employment for the future. The pre-budget outlook for 2010 outlines that while we hope for growth in the second half of next year the prospect of rising unemployment remains until growth returns to the economy. We must do all we can to assist employers and are doing so in a range of ways.

From our point of view, this is not simply a book-keeping exercise. It is about repositioning the country to be more competitive for the future. It is recognised by all sides of the House that corrections of the order of €4 billion are necessary. I agree the economic debate is not simply about that but, in the context in which we can move forward if we are to effect economic recovery, part of the pillar of that recovery is to restore order to the public finances. Being more competitive is obviously another issue. The Minister for Finance will assess all that was said in the debate, which was in the main constructive, and see what emerges.

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