Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

If the Government intends to publish the four-year plan in mid-November, I presume it will be approved next week. Is it that imminent or will it be somewhat later? It would be helpful if the Taoiseach could indicate when we are likely to see it. I asked the Taoiseach if a draft of the plan had been supplied to the European Commission and I would like him to respond to that when he replies to my supplementary question.

With regard to the €6 billion adjustment, the Taoiseach made two points. The first is the adjustment is intended to convince people outside the country and certain institutions that the Government is in earnest about making fiscal adjustments. It does not appear to have made a particularly big impact on the markets. The Taoiseach's second argument is that it is a matter of judgment and he is right in that.

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