Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach used two important phrases. He referred to the "immediate priority" and also to "certainty". These are not normal times, this is not business as usual and I have no interest in attempting to play political games about something as serious for the people and country as the current situation. I am not sure whether the absence of some of the Taoiseach's erstwhile friends from Cabinet means they have been sacked or are about to be sacked. That is for the Taoiseach to decide.

I do not accept that if one wants to bring certainty to this matter in respect of the budget, it cannot be done next week. It was very easy for the Government to introduce a Bill overnight to take €1 billion from old age pensioners who were in nursing homes. What is at stake here is certainty, stability and the confidence of our people.

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