Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It would appear that the interaction between the Commission officials and the Department of Finance has coloured the attitude of the Government. It is a matter for this country to prepare its own plans. The Taoiseach stated that Commission officials reflect on world economic trends and so they do. It would be in the interests of Opposition parties to have available as full a spectrum of information and views as possible in order to reflect more accurately on the figures made available to them in briefings yesterday.

If there are officials from the Commission in the country does the Taoiseach consider it appropriate that finance spokespersons from the Opposition parties should meet with them in order to get their reflections on Ireland and broader European and world issues as the spokespersons prepare their plans?

See this speech in context