Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I will deal with Deputy Morgan's questions. There are a lot of questions which deserve an answer. I will deal with Deputy Burton and then Deputy Morgan, if that is acceptable to the House.

Deputy Burton raised a number of issues but she started with Commissioner Rehn, which is not a bad place to start. She referred to the Financial Times. It is worth reading it today to see what Commissioner Rehn said about his views in regard to the eurozone and the Stability and Growth Pact. He said he did not want to see excessive reductions in expenditure which would damage European economies. That is what he was reported as saying in the Financial Times today. He was reported in an Irish newspaper as stating that he was looking at the position of Ireland. As I understand it, he was questioned by Irish journalists after his general conference specifically on the position of Ireland.

A review of every member state is taking place, which will be completed at the June Finance Ministers meeting.

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