In the new and foreseeable economic environment, it is vital that priorities are established in relation to future resource allocation. Investment in education, health, infrastructure and protecting those on lower incomes will continue to command priority. Even within these areas, however, ambition will have to be tempered by the reality of available resources. Proposals which fail the Exchequer affordability test or would otherwise lead us to breach our stability and growth pact obligations do not assist the adoption of a prioritised framework for public expenditure policy.