Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I do live in the land of truth and reality and, in fact, there are elements of the first with which the Deputy could deal. He mentioned the review of the universal social charge. The Government signed off on a detailed and comprehensive spending analysis of every Department and for the first time ever we will get a real view of value for the taxpayers' money being spent by Ministers. That is the reason the Department of Finance has been split into two separate Departments and the Minister, Deputy Howlin, will be dealing with issues of public expenditure and reform. When we prepare the details of the budget for 2012, the universal social charge will be included in that review, as is stated in the programme for Government. Deputy Adams will realise that we cannot review it until the comprehensive analysis has been carried out.

The Deputy also referred to the minimum wage, which is a commitment in the programme for Government. There are two views on this issue. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation could make the change by ministerial order or primary legislation. Our advice is that it is best to introduce primary legislation because it may be challenged. However, the minimum wage is not the only issue that arises and restrictions on employers and the freeing up of the labour market will be addressed in conjunction with it. A review is due in two weeks time and when that review becomes available the Minister will act on these issues as a package.

On the reduction in projected growth rates, this prediction came from a comprehensive analysis of 57 countries conducted by the IMF. It criticised the US and others for not doing enough but indicated that Europe was making progress. I can confirm that yesterday's meeting between the Ministers for Finance and the troika was a very good one and it is only right and appropriate, and expected, that the memorandum of understanding will be updated this weekend once the troika has completed its work and the discussions with the Ministers have concluded. As the Deputy will be aware, projections for growth are difficult to confirm even six months ahead, never mind three years. This is why, unlike the last Government, this Government recognises that we cannot cut and tax our way to prosperity. We have to develop a strategy for growth on the other side because growing our economy is the only way we can provide stimulus for people to get back to work, grow the economy, increase exports and ensure the value of what we produce in our country goes towards providing the kind of economy we want.

From the Deputy's initial comment about muide i gcumhacht agus ag briseadh gealltanais, tá muid ag insint na fírinne dhuitse agus do chuile duine eile. He can be sure that whatever further discoveries we make in opening the doors of Government and letting in the light, we will tell the Irish people the true scale of the legacy we have inherited.

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