Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy has asked a number of questions. My Department did not err on the side of optimism in its growth forecast for this year. In fact, the first quarter GDP out performed the departmental forecast. On the question of who decided there should be a four-year plan, the Government, on my recommendation as Minister for Finance, decided we should have a four-year plan. There is no question of the authorities in Brussels dictating or suggesting to Ireland it should have a four-year plan.

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