Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Despite the economic constraints that mean certain policies have to be pursued now as a matter of national necessity, a great proportion of the social gains that have been made can be retained. The recent improvements in economic competitiveness that have derived from our capital gains, which are now visible for many people in view of those investments, can also be retained. They can and will be built upon. The areas of social gain on which we are having to some extent to pull back can be re-examined in different times. We need to recognise that many of them can be retained, despite the depth and scope of this crisis, if we pursue difficult policy options and objectives. That has to be done if we are to forge ahead again.

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