Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the leader of the main Opposition party. We agreed to clear the decks and I believe the Whips will be meeting later this afternoon to finalise arrangements for the debate next week. The Government will be meeting on Monday and Tuesday, and it is because of this that we wish to return on Wednesday morning. It is a very serious issue. It is clearly our intention to discuss our four year budget and growth plan, and in case people think this has not been happening for some time, let us not forget that there has already been an adjustment of almost €14.5 billion over the last two years. It is on that basis that the Government wishes to have further time for the consideration of the development and completion of the plan, and so proposes to sit on Wednesday and Thursday.

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