Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The final question is on taxes and the forecasts. I have not studied this but I am aware from studying the health budget that it is the fourth quarter where we always see significant pressure, perhaps because of recruitment issues. The August 2018 figures for excise duty were €249 million less than predicted. Are these cyclical figures also, such as in a quarterly cycle, or would we be confident that there is usually an increase in taxes in the fourth quarter in certain areas? We are almost €70 million under profile in stamp duty also. Are those figures based on different quarters that may be more profitable than others?