Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

There is considerable debate and discussion about the forthcoming budget and the possibility of a four-year budgetary plan over the coming years. Obviously such discussion must be based on sound, solid information which only the Government itself can provide. As we know, the projections which the Government gave us last year for economic growth were seriously wrong, as a result of which we are now told the projected budgetary adjustment over the next four years is significantly greater than the €7.5 billion that was originally expected.

We need to have a number of pieces of information if there is to be meaningful discussion on budgetary matters. I ask the Taoiseach this morning if he would provide that information. First, can he tell us what is the growth forecast for 2011 and the projected growth for the next four years? Second, what budgetary adjustments does the Government propose for the coming year, 2011, and what is the total adjustment that is projected for the next four years? What is the forecast for unemployment next year? There are currently approximately 450,000 people on the live register. The total has been more than 400,000 for the past 16 months. What is the Government's forecast or projection for unemployment next year?

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