Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The Government has great faith in this country and its capacities and in the future of this country. I certainly have faith that we can overcome our difficulties and resolve them. Our underlying economic performance has been very strong throughout this recession. For example, our exports on a year-on-year basis increased by 6% this year. There is tremendous resilience in our labour force. I acknowledge we have real difficulties in the banking sector and in our public finances and we are addressing them. With regard to the Labour Party proposals for investment and the Fine Gael proposals on the adjustment, I would be delighted to receive a copy of these proposals and have them assessed by my Department.

As to the date for the announcement of the four-year plan, I indicated at an earlier stage that we intend to publish it in mid-November.

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