Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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The report points out that along with the Government announcing budget 2017, it announced half of budget 2018 by eating into more than half of the fiscal space for 2018. This has left the Government with approximately €530 million, according to its calculations. Since his previous appearance before us, Professor McHale has provided us with difference in the council's assessment of demographic pressures and where the Government stands on this. In 2017, the council disputes the Government's figure by €176 million and the remainder of the current Vote by €359 million. Will he explain the remainder of the current Vote? Does that include wage inflation in the public service that may not materialise or does it relate to the cost of goods and services?