Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The Minister referred to the NDP which stated the Government would keep growth in spending in line with estimated overall growth in the economy in GNP terms. Does he mean to keep to this commitment? On Thursday will he outline to the House the estimate for economic growth next year and revise the figure downwards, as the Exchequer figures appear to suggest?

According to the Department's figures, growth in current expenditure was between 11% and 13% due to Fianna Fáil's pre-election splurge. Even the best estimates for economic growth next year are approximately 5% or 5.5%. Will the Minister stick with the commitment outlined in the NDP, namely, that overall growth in expenditure will be determined by expected growth in GNP? In that case, with current spending outcomes running at between 11% and 14%, something has to give. Can he indicate what will give on budget day?

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