Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

I have three questions to put to the Leader on this matter. First, this is just the beginning. The Government has said it needs to find €2 billion worth of savings this year, €4 billion next year and €4 billion the following year. Will the Leader provide an explicit guarantee to the House that social welfare payments and pensions will not be cut? This is the beginning.

When will we see action to deal with the fact that this country is the most expensive in the European Union in which to do business and in which to live? At a time when incomes and confidence are falling, can we not see some action from the Government?