  Pairing fluctuations are self-consistently incorporated on the same footing
as the quadrupole deformations in present state of the art calculations
including particle number and angular momentum conservation as well as
configuration mixing. The approach is complemented by the use of the finite
range density dependent Gogny force which, with a unique source for the
particle-hole and particle-particle interactions, guarantees a self-consistent
interplay in both channels.
  We have applied our formalism to study the role of the pairing degree of
freedom in the description of the most relevant observables like spectra,
transition probabilities, separation energies, etc. We find that the inclusion
of pairing fluctuations mostly affects the description of excited states,
depending on the excitation energy and the angular momentum. $E0$ transition
probabilities experiment rather big changes while $E2$'s are less affected.
  Genuine pairing vibrations are thoroughly studied with the conclusion that
deformations strongly inhibits their existence. These studies have been
performed for a selection of nuclei: spherical, deformed and with different
degree of collectivity.
