Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Every time the Deputy refers to body language on the part of officials or Commissioners, I become suspicious. Body language is used here as a cover for the substitution of the Deputy's opinion. He drew an inference from the Commissioner's body language and did something similar in regard to his encounter with my officials. He inferred from their body language that they wanted a greater adjustment than €6 billion and that they wanted one of €7 billion at the time in question. The Deputy should not infer anything from body language.

As far as the forecasts are concerned, forecasts are just forecasts. The original stability and growth plan and original €7.5 billion target were agreed with the Commission. When I spoke in Galway - the Deputy referred to an interview I did when I arrived there - I made it clear the figure was a minimum figure and that it was agreed with the Commission. The figure of €6 billion is also the current figure and is agreed with the Commission as the appropriate front-loading value for next year. The figure of €15 billion is our best assessment of the central case scenario over the four-year period. We are planning on that basis and, clearly, we will discuss the plan with the Commission in due course when the Government has concluded its deliberations. Any figures the Commission intends to publish on 29 November, of course, will be consistent with the plan.

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