John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is acknowledged by Europe that it is the success of the economy that is causing a fallback, as the Deputy would know. We are at 1.45% and I think we will probably reach approximately 1.78%. That is not bad. We will be on a par with most other countries Europe. It is not the case that when we return here in 2020, all countries in Europe will have reached 2.5%. I guarantee that they will not do so, particularly when one takes possible economic downturns and other issues into account.