Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

This is a specific question for the Leader. Fine Gael made proposals of how to save €2 billion when we were asked. The Minister asked for pre-budget submissions or views from the Opposition and Deputy Richard Bruton and Fine Gael have done so today. This is a unique, specific, Fine Gael perspective on the public finances. I ask the Leader to confirm that the Opposition has engaged and Fine Gael has engaged with the Government by coming up with alternative economic strategies. It is about time in this House and in the other House, that the Government engages with the Opposition and acknowledges that it is sucking ideas from the Opposition, relying on the Opposition for ideas and it should acknowledge the merit of those ideas for managing the economy.