Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Timmins referred to the Croke Park deal and the saving of €1 billion. Clearly, the Croke Park deal permits the redeployment of public servants in many branches of the public service. The jobs reduction programme that can be implemented as a result would save very substantial money to the Exchequer over the programme period.

Deputy Joe Carey referred to the whole question of the need to stimulate growth and protect jobs, and also inquired about the travel tax. Again, I will consider all of these matters in the context of the budget.

Deputy English said we had not much credibility in regard to managing savings in the public finances. As a matter of record, €14 billion is the total amount I have reduced or corrected in fiscal terms in the budgets since my appointment as Minister for Finance, which is a very substantial amount of savings.

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