Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the points made by Deputy Kenny, since this crisis began, this Government and others have indicated the need to give demonstrable effect to show the reductions that have to be made. The net take home pay of the Taoiseach is now 45% less than it was when I took office and that of a Minister's it is up to 40% less. That needs to be said and it needs to done. Everything we can do to reduce the size of the Government needs to be considered very carefully.

On decisions that have to be made that affect the lives of everyone, it is about making sure that we have a sustainable position going forward to avoid larger cuts that would otherwise have to be considered were there a failure to take action now. The decision of Government to put those interests of the country and of all the people first in making these decisions does not make them any less valid for that.

See this speech in context