Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is subject to the programme for Government; the same economic basis applies. The Deputy may ask 45 questions about it but the response is the same, namely, that we have a budgetary strategy in the context of which all decisions must be taken. It is a matter for Ministers to determine how to expend the moneys allocated to them. That is the position and it is no big deal.

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