Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes. At that point, it is when the focus on structural measurements of the economy become - for want of a better phrase - one's friend.

The European Commission would inquire as to the outputs of the economy on the basis of where it stood in the context of its cycle. If the economic cycle is in such a place where it is in difficulty or where we are going in the wrong direction, it strengthens the case for using expenditure to offset that, particularly expenditure on capital, which, of course, is investment for the future. While I cannot predetermine what the Commission may say about this because we are clearly at a principal stage ourselves, I hope it would be seen in a positive light.