Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

There have been many days on which and many issues in respect of which the House has been divided. Perhaps it is time for a statement of agreement on an issue that affects every person in this country. I am not going to do down any proposal which might have an impact with regard to dealing with the problems we face in economic and fiscal terms. Those problems have a direct impact, in various ways, on the quality of life of many people.

Deputy Noonan is happy to accept the invitation from the Department of Finance. He will discuss with officials from the Department the advice or information they wish to provide when he meets them tomorrow. When meetings of this type took place in the past - particularly as parties approached the possibility of an election being called at some time in the future - the information provided to the Opposition was not subject to any ministerial direction. Will it be the case that the information to be provided to Deputy Noonan and, I presume, Deputy Burton and others, will not be subject to any such direction from the Minister for Finance and that it will constitute the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

The Taoiseach quite rightly made the point that when the relevant information is received by the Opposition parties, they will be entitled to assess and analyse it and indicate what might be the shape of the budgets they would put forward based on the facts provided. When he stated that the parties could meet when the information is received and assessed, was the Taoiseach indicating that he supports the concept of engaging in a discussion on the possibility of consensus? I want to be constructive but there would be no point in my participating in the process if the Taoiseach does not do so. I am seeking a straight answer in this regard.

We will act constructively in conjunction with the Government. We will also act constructively in the interests of the people and the country. It was for this reason that I stated that we agree with the 3% deficit target, with the realisation of this by 2014, with the fact that there must be front-loading and with the Government's invitation that we should be briefed by the Department of Finance. We will assess the information that will be made available. Thereafter, I wish to be as constructive as possible in the interests of the people. Is it the Taoiseach's view that the leaders of the parties could participate in a series of discussions regarding the possibility of achieving consensus?

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