Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

The plan is based on what we can afford to do. I am awaiting confirmation from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, that he can come to the House on Tuesday. He has promised that he will do so to speak on the matter and it is just a question of finding out what time he will be here. I assure the House on this, as I did last week with regard to requests to bring the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, to the House to discuss the rate cut as he will do today. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, will come to the House, I hope next week, to discuss the capital plan.

Senator O'Brien also raised the question of the second home tax relief for Ministers. Cutting costs at the top has been ongoing since the Government came to office. Previously, it announced a reduction in the pay of the Taoiseach and Ministers, changes to ministerial transport arrangements and changes to the top level appointments commission terms-----