Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Obviously, I cannot discuss the budget with the Deputy. On the Croke Park agreement, those who support the agreement and are anxious to implement it are anxious to work on the basis of the agreement as are those who have supported it and had the benefits that derive from it. That is the position on that matter.

On the Deputy's question on the issue of a social charge, the Minister indicated in his previous budget that he was preparing proposals on how he could bring about a situation in which the various levies and PRSI could be looked at in an integrated way for the future. Many people on low incomes are excluded from the tax net. This is about providing a sustainable way forward to ensure that the benefits of the commitments and social taxes are provided for in future with the demographics we have.

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