Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As regards the other matter the Deputy mentioned, it is an absurd proposition to suggest that the Government is making decisions on these budget questions in the month of April. What caused it was an attempt to misinterpret what the Minister had to say. He was asked what his position was on these matters. He said he was simply starting an Estimates process, as any Minister would do at this time. There have been no discussions and no decisions whatever.

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