Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Today at Leader's Questions the Taoiseach referred to the fact that he would be unwilling to borrow additional moneys to fund an increase in employment but would be willing to borrow to fight for support for companies that are going through difficulties with Brexit. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, IFAC, could not have been more critical last week, saying that the loss of control in our public finances in the past three years precluded a countercyclical borrowing response in this upcoming budget based on its projections on the likely effects of a no-deal Brexit on the economy. Will the Minister state whether he thinks there will be additional borrowing? Obviously this is difficult because our borrowings keep changing, we refinance some loans and start other loans. Does the Minister expect that there will be a net increase in Government borrowing because of the scenario we are facing.of a no-deal Brexit? If so, what is the timing on that? Will that be agreed on budget day or is it pending a no-deal outcome after the fact? How does the Minister forecast for what he will borrow next year?