Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Any briefings will be provided by designated officials from the Department of Finance. There is no question of directions or anything else being given in respect of the advice that will be provided. The facts of the matter, as they are emerging, can be conveyed. The Deputy stated that Deputy Noonan will be meeting some officials tomorrow in order to discuss the means by which the relevant information can be provided to him. I understand that others visited the Department earlier in the week. The Department is evaluating the position at present and it is obvious that all its work will not be completed by the time the briefings are to be given. However, such briefings will - perhaps later this week or early next week - be provided to spokespersons on that basis.

I wish to return to the Deputy's point on our involvement, as a Government. I made it clear on Friday last - there is a full transcript available in respect of what I said - that if, arising out of the briefings and analysis that will be provided, any proposals emerge from the Opposition which could be subsequently developed upon by means of a meeting at leadership level, I would have no difficulty in this regard. That goes without saying, as far as I am concerned. We all recognise the areas in respect of which we want to work constructively and we all agree that there is a framework - namely, reducing the deficit to 3% by 2014 - within which we are obliged to operate. The provision of briefings and analysis would ensure that everyone would be armed with the same facts that are available to the Government. When those facts have been provided, people will be in a position to make decisions and choices in respect of how they would resolve the problems that exist. It would then be a matter for those concerned, in the context of a debate or whatever, to put forward their views. All of that to which I refer would be helpful.

I want to work constructively with all of those who are minded to bring forward proposals that would result in the best possible plan being devised. One of the issues which must be considered in this context is the need to reduce the deficit to 3%. The Government has not made any decisions on this matter as yet. However, we must consider how we can reach our target while at the same time optimising the prospect of having a growth strategy for the economy and ensuring that the required adjustment will be achieved in the best possible way. Those are issues which continue to be considered in the context of the data that is being analysed. I do not have a specific view on the matter at present. However, the issues to which I refer are those we are requesting be examined in order that we might arrive at the best possible approach. Such an approach must be consistent with retaining as many existing jobs as possible, creating new jobs and providing growth in the economy. It is obvious that it will also be necessary to address various expenditure and taxation issues in order to make the adjustment required by 2014.

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