Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

As the Minister stated, the review group will make recommendations on the matter. We will revisit the programme in due course.

The Government also announced prudent proposals in regard to HSE staff. In so many debates in the House on this issue there have been calls to put in place a package for staff who are non-essential or surplus to requirements. I welcome the review. Overall, it is important the Government remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our society and ensures front line services are not cut in terms of current expenditure, social welfare, education and the HSE. The Government is also committed to capital projects. It is most important that in these economic times we maintain the momentum by investing in our capital programme so that we are best positioned to capitalise on the uplift when it comes.

On balance, I am delighted to have had the opportunity to contribute to this debate. Like Senator Twomey, I too could speak on this subject for quite some time. I commend the Government on the package of measures announced and for making these most difficult decisions in these changed economic times. The message we must send out to the people is that this is the party that in government faced up to the realities of more challenging difficult situations; it has taken the required steps to ensure this country can move forward with confidence, ride out the difficulties and changed circumstances and position itself to capitalise on the upturn if and when it arrives.