The mid-term review of the Coalition's programme for government will begin shortly, the Taoiseach said.

Mr Ahern added that it would take account of the changed circumstances which have occurred since the Government took office.

"The review will be carried out over the summer months and will be completed in the autumn with a view to implementation in the forthcoming and subsequent budgets."

Asked by the Labour deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, what form the review would take, Mr Ahern said it would deal with the aspects of the programme for government that, perhaps, had not been looked at sufficiently because of developing situations in recent years. In the first instance, the review would be undertaken by his and the Tanaiste's programme managers.

Mr Ivan Yates (FG, Wexford) asked if the Taoiseach was aware of the Tanaiste's comments that any revised programme for government would involve a major opening up of competition in the taxi and pub sectors.

Mr Ahern said they would discuss all issues which needed to be discussed. The taxi business was not that lucrative. "They are not all millionaires. If they were, they would be living far better lifestyles than the majority of them are."