Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

That is simply an incredible position to take 12 hours after one of the most important budgets in the history of the State being brought into this House and, thankfully, passed as a result of the democratic process here last night.

The levels of income support provided by the State to those on welfare are still among the highest in Europe, of which we are all proud. People who live in Border counties know what the social welfare payments are across the Border. Many in the North used in the past to look towards the Republic and suggest patronisingly that we were not capable of looking after our own people. The social policies we introduced in recent years were the right thing to do. When else were we going to be able to do this? If we take the decisions now, we can maintain much, perhaps as much as 90%, of those gains. However, if we play the game the Opposition want to play - the game of "No, there is some other soft option available. No, we have a solution here that does not involve you or the next person being affected" - then the rate of cuts will become far greater and more unsustainable far more quickly, apart from the fact we need to ensure the programme we have agreed is implemented as quickly as possible.

We need to provide an input of confidence and to let people see that the Government, the country and the Dáil, however hot and heavy our debates get, are prepared to take the decisions that are necessary for this country to come through. That is what people going to work or staying at home today want to hear from us.

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