Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

If I might conclude without interruption, the position in this regard turns on the treatment which EUROSTAT adopts in respect of interest payments. My officials were not in a position to immediately ascertain the relevant information because EUROSTAT's precise treatment of all these matters varies and is subject to revision and final judgment by that organisation.

The Deputy's principal question related to whether these notes in some way contributed to the increase in the four-year target from €7.5 billion to €15 billion. Her assumption in this regard is simply incorrect. Let us be clear with regard to this matter. Leaving aside any interest payments which must be made on moneys borrowed in connection with banking, there has been a substantial gap between what the State spends-----

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