Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

As I said on a number of occasions, forecasting is not an exact science. A range of organisations both in the public and private sectors produces forecasts at different frequencies during the year. When preparing an economic forecast a wide range of different variables has to be considered. All forecasts are subject to risks and are affected by developments in both the international and domestic economy. I am pleased the Commission is broadly in line with the Government's forecasts for next year and I am working very closely with it on the operation of the Stability and Growth Pact.

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