Fergus O'Dowd
Question:73 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance his views on changing the terms of the stability pact. [25596/02]
Written Answers. - Stability and Growth Pact.
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:132 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance the changes likely, or the changes he would prefer to see, in the operation of the growth and Stability Pact. [25574/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 132 together.
The Government has underlined its commitment to the stability and growth pact in its programme for Government, which describes the pact as providing the overriding framework for budgetary policy.
The purpose of the pact is to contribute to sustainable economic progress through sound fiscal policies. I will support any initiative which promises to improve the stability and growth pact from this standpoint, and oppose any initiative which would undermine its ability to deliver this objective.