Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Finance if budget 2009 is in accord with the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39156/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government is a five year programme which must be judged over the full five years of the Government. However, it is now clear that we have entered a period of lower economic growth than was envisaged when the Programme for Government was drawn up. This has consequences for the public finances and the Government is committed to carefully managing the economic and budgetary situation now so as not to jeopardise our long-term future. The ability of Government to deliver on all aspects of the programme must be seen in the context of this overriding priority.