Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Nobody saw it, but that is not to suggest in any way that I avoid my responsibilities — quite the contrary. However, I will not accept the contention from the parties opposite that there were people at the end of last year, coming in to frame a budget, who suggested that we would not have growth rates of at least 2.7% this year.

See this speech in context