Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

A number of issues were raised. First, Deputy Burton raised the question regarding the funding cliff. I agree with the Deputy that this is a very important question. As I said a few moments ago, at the heart of this discussion must be our future debt dynamics and the impact of such lending on them. As for the letter of intent, the plan being published tomorrow is a four-year plan for national economic recovery. As a programme term typically is of three years' duration, there is a distinction. Nevertheless, the plan to be published tomorrow is the Government's own view on how the economic and social position can be developed with regard to growth, expenditure, taxation and fiscal controls in the next four years. Consequently, it is an assessment by the Government and there was no consultation with either the Commission or the IMF on the content of that document. However, with the leave of the Government, on the substantial completion of the document - because there were textual matters that still had to be addressed and I must attend to some textual matters when I return to my Department after this debate-----

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