Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have indicated the position to the Deputy. The budget is taking place on 9 December. We will have a budget debate. A social welfare Bill will also have to be enacted, to bring the budgetary decisions into operation. The Government's only strategy involves making the budgetary adjustments that are necessary to maintain a credible budgetary strategy and enacting legislation in a timely fashion on the basis of the decisions that are made.

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