Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I wish to make a third point in answer to the specific question Deputy Stagg's leader has made - Deputy Gilmore makes it far more eloquently than Deputy Stagg - regarding his concerns about the dampening effects on growth for 2011. One can look at a number of scenarios in this regard. The OECD claims growth in the Irish economy next year will be 1.6%, whereas the IMF and European Union predict growth of around 1% but state there will be an increased rate of growth, over and above the average 2.7%, in the following year. Reuters does a compendium of forecasts where it brings together and blends the views of about ten of the leading forecasters on the Irish economy. This collective wisdom of a group of people who comment on the economy was released last week and suggests growth next year will be 1.6%.

See this speech in context