Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Finance the elements of the Programme for Government that will not be implemented and delivered on due to the changed financial situation nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47186/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As a result of the very different international economic environment that we now face, it is clear that the short term prospects for economic activity are considerably less favourable than that envisaged when the Programme for Government was set out. We now face a position where tax revenues are back to 2005 levels while spending by 2009 is estimated to have increased by 35%. Clearly we have a substantial gap.

The Government's priority is the restoration of a balanced current budget over the medium term. Achieving this will inevitably mean that it will be difficult to deliver on the priorities outlined in the Programme for Government given the level of resources available.

That said the Government is also continuing to commit substantial funding to public investment to secure the future growth potential of the economy, thereby maintaining employment and competitiveness and enhancing the productive capacity of the economy.

Finally, as I have said in response to previous PQs on this issue the Programme for Government is a five year programme which must be judged over the full five years of the Government.