Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It has got to be dealt with politically and quickly. We have been clear about this and I am glad the Deputy shares my view in respect of the requirement of support for the ECB because this is a concern for business in respect of investment into the eurozone and into Ireland and, clearly, for a country that exports so much from our shores, if other countries are having trouble with banks and restructuring and their economies are in decline, this issue has to be addressed forcefully.

I listened carefully to Dr. Durkan of the ESRI this morning. While his predictions were short of where they were last year, I want the Deputy to understand that the Government has set its face in respect of producing our budget for 5 and 6 December and we are not changing the target we have set now. I note that Dr. Durkan said that if Europe and the eurozone sorted out their political problem about this financial crisis, confidence would return very quickly. That is where I am focused. I believe in the best result here, which is political leadership to sort out the problem and let us get on with our business. We have our difficulties here at home that we must deal with ourselves.

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