Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That brings the figure down to about €6.5 billion, from €11.3 billion.

I have some final questions. There has been some weakness in Exchequer returns. VAT and income tax receipts are now running behind profile - I understand VAT receipts are in the region of €270 million, or €280 million behind profile. Is that a cause for concern or is it too early to say? How is that accounted for? Are there any reasons why it is happening?