Mr. Mark Foley:

If you compare Ireland coming out of the deep recession in 2008, we are the envy of the rest of Europe because we have had a recovery in economic growth. We are unique in Europe in population growth. That all feeds into a vibrant economy. We are a prosperous economy. I am simply saying what the Minister for Finance or independent financial observers might say. We should be capable of accommodating this. We are just instruments of Government policy. If Government policy is not to have growth and to be like the rest of Europe and not have the tax returns, we will respond accordingly, but we are playing what is in front of us.

In many respects Ireland should be grateful for the growth it has had because of how it has helped us through crises. Yes, we are fortunate as a nation to have this growth proposition and our job is to respond to it. We do not make it. I do not create demand.