Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is important to point out that it is the Irish authorities who are formulating these proposals. The International Monetary Fund people, the EU Commission and all the various international bodies such as the OECD and others have their own views of how world growth projections are likely to go, what the issues are and the various economic models they construct in order to proceed. The Department of Finance takes into account or takes note of all these views and they feed into the dialogue that takes place at national authorities level. It is not a question of people elsewhere deciding on the outcome. These are matters for decision by us, using our best judgment based on the best advice and information, international commentary and documentation available on these kinds of issues. That would not be necessary. The dialogue has been used and all these issues are being taken into account. What one hears from the international authorities is the best estimate based on all the views they hear. That question and answer is available to the Deputy.

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