Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Supplementary Estimates were referred by the House on 24 November last to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service and were dealt with by it. All the discussion has taken place. There are nine Supplementary Estimates - six of them are technical and three are substantive. They have been discussed by the relevant select committee and have been returned to the House for approval. I do not see the reason we should have a further discussion because they were dealt with by the committee.

Deputy Gilmore asked about what is emerging as a result of the budget requirements. There will be two Bills - the Social Welfare Bill and the Bill on public sector pay. We will have to deal with them in line with the time available in the House and we propose to take the Social Welfare Bill later this week. The Deputy spoke about difficult decisions. It is clear he does not believe that any difficult decisions should be taken on anything.

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