Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I must disagree with the Deputy's last comment. It is very difficult to introduce a consolidation budget. I would be a much happier Minister if I were in Charlie McCreevy land, the good times were rolling and I could announce spending increases to rapturous applause in the House. That is not the lot that fell to me or to this unfortunate nation. We have to map our way out of a difficult economic situation.

I also disagree with the Deputy about the volume of information she has. She has the targets for each year, including the 8.6% deficit target we must reach this year, the 7.5% target for next year and the target of 2.9% of GDP by 2015. She has the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure documentation, which contains voluminous information from every line Department on all options for reducing expenditure. If there is anything outside of that which the Deputy wishes to put on the table, I would welcome it. The Deputy says she would be happy to do so if her suggestions were paid heed to. If they are constructive, that is fine, but if the approach is one of nihilism - the notion of cutting nothing and opposing all taxes-----

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