Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The days of bluffing and false promises are over and the harsh reality of truth has dawned. The major parties in the Dáil have accepted the need for a reduction in the deficit to 3% by 2014. I have not heard the Taoiseach comment on this matter. Will he indicate whether the announcement by the Minister for Finance regarding the €15 billion in cuts to be imposed on the Irish people during the next four years represents a decision on the part of the Government or whether that decision was imposed on it by the European Commission?

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