Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I respect their views because they are experts in their field. They are ad idemwith what we said in the stability pact in April. They are probably working off the same data that were available to us then. Since then, however, there are pieces of evidence - ranging from hard fact to anecdotal - which would suggest that our position is improving as the year goes by. I am grateful to the august bodies the Deputy mentioned for their well argued advice. From my perspective, as Minister for Finance, it helps me that they are spelling out to the public that an adjustment is required and that the opening position is €2 billion.