Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

The Minister's figures do not add up. He believes he will have a fall in growth of 1% but various economic commentators indicate it will be 3%. How will the Minister meet the requirements of the European Commission in terms of general Government balance as a percentage of GDP? Economic commentators say that will be of the order of 8% or 9% and the Minister's figure is 5.5%. Does he not take seriously the warning from the European Commission? How can he not introduce a supplementary budget?

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