Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Quinn. He has been through it in his time and is right about the move to central European time. Hopefully, the Government will move on that in line with the move Britain is about to make as outlined by the Senator.

I understand the four-year economic plan, which is to be approved by Brussels and the European Union, is to be finalised and published by mid-November. Can the Deputy Leader clarify the timetable for that? Given it will happen then, would it not be appropriate that the budget, which is such an integral part of the first step of that four-year process, would be taken in conjunction with the publication of that plan? We should do this in order to regain the confidence of the markets and secure our future funding. Does it not make sense to do both together if we are to have the necessary housekeeping money to sustain and keep our public services going at the proper level? This would better establish the certainty we know is necessary and would, in addition, secure what all sides and so many of our colleagues spoke about yesterday and encourage spending from the billions of euro of savings we have. If this happens, it will help us regain the confidence we need in our future. I would like to hear the Deputy Leader's opinion. These areas are all bound up together and there is a great case to be made to deal with and have done with the issue so we can move forward.