Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The question of the work undertaken by the Minister regarding social contributions and how to look at the number of levies in place in order to pull together a more coherent system will be considered in the budgetary context. The Deputy would perhaps be best advised to address a parliamentary question directly to the Minister for Finance on the mechanics of the preparation and what way he intends to deal with this. It is a budgetary matter so I do not know the extent to which he can lay out the detail the Deputy might like sooner rather than later.

On the budgetary preparations, the McCarthy report came forward last year with a set of options which continue to form the basis for Government consideration on an ongoing basis. Some were taken in respect of the last budget and others will be considered in the context of continued rationalisation in the organisation of Government and the delivery of services. There is also a review of the local authority system, which will inform budgetary consideration as well.

As to the issue of a set of options being made available for consideration by various committees or, indeed, the House itself, these are matters that can be looked at for the purposes of having a debate that helps to facilitate a recognition of what exactly is the situation in this country. Despite good progress being made and deficits being stabilised, we now have to pursue a reduction policy that involves further decisions being considered. Once the choices are understood, perhaps the decisions can be better facilitated by Government in due course. I know there is an issue the Deputy raised, but a direct discussion between himself and the Minister for Finance would be more opportune.

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