OPPOSITION PARTIES have demanded a debate on the economy before the Dáil adjourns for the summer recess next month.
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said that the matter could be discussed by the party whips, "if it is seen as a pressing and important issue to be considered".
She told Labour leader Eamon Gilmore that there were no plans to introduce a supplementary budget.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said that the people had "backed the wrong horse" in last year's election. "The people were told by the previous minister for finance that they should not believe the economic reality put forward by Fine Gael and the Labour Party in our pre-election projections," he added.
"We now have the evidence of yesterday's tax returns to show that this country is facing very serious economic challenges, something that was pointed out repeatedly by Opposition spokespersons."
He said the consumer was being fleeced by diesel, petrol and home heating oil prices. "Everybody, including fishermen and business people, is confronted every day by the reality of rising prices, stagnant incomes and difficulties with mortgage repayments, and this is being ignored by the Government," Mr Kenny added.
Fine Gael, he said, would insist on having a proper debate on a pre-budget outlook before the House adjourned in July.
Mr Kenny said they wanted to hear how the Government could ensure that it would not cut back on its capital programme, as outlined by the Taoiseach.
He noted that the Minister for Finance said yesterday that he had been left to clean up the mess.
Mr Gilmore said that he did not object to the House adjourning next week, given that it was the practice not to sit on the week of a referendum. But there had been a very short sitting this week, he added.
"For the life of me, I do not understand why the House does not sit on the Tuesday after a bank holiday," he said. "It is nonsense and the House should address it at the earliest opportunity."
He understood, he said, that the Government planned to conclude the current Dáil session at the end of the first week in July. This meant that there would be just nine sitting days after next week before the summer recess.
Mr Gilmore said that the State was going through changing economic circumstances, with finances appearing to be way off track.
