Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

People are losing jobs because of the unprecedented international climate, as the Deputy is well aware. The forecast in my Department for the downturn this year is 4.5% and this forecast is in line with the bulk of other forecasts. On the question of tax receipts for this year, an overall predictive figure for tax receipts has been produced and the receipts received in January are in line with the overall predicted figures.

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