Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

On a stimulus package, every country in the world has been faced with similar problems to ours and all have had recourse to some form of stimulus through the injection of moneys by central banks in the countries concerned. We have seen this in the United Kingdom and in the United States. Ireland is in a free trade area and we have provided a substantial stimulus. Members of the House must recognise that the extent of the borrowing in which are currently engaged is a substantial stimulus to the economy. It is at a percentage which cannot be trespassed, as far as any Irish Government is concerned. It provides a substantial stimulus to the economy. If we did not have that element of borrowing in the equation, far greater retrenchment would be required. A balance must be struck in these matters.

I agree with the Deputy on the wider question he raised. The Government has to move on from the stabilisation it has effected in the economy. The Government now has to move on to the essential measures which will support economic growth and recovery in the months and years ahead.

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