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

Therefore, we are just about at the figure of 4%. There is a big advantage in staying within the fiscal rules, but they are giving us some flexibility also. I will be advising, through the Department of Finance, if I am back in it, that we use the rules cautiously and carefully in order that we can keep growing the economy at well above the average figure and then use the fruits of that growth to give us the leeway on expenditure that the Deputy is advocating.