Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach will be aware of the comments of the Minister for Finance yesterday in this House, when answering questions about the Exchequer figures. The Minister commented that the fiscal figures for April show that the tax profile is beyond the budget Estimate for December and that expenditure is below the budget Estimate. The Minister also said that for the first four months of the year, "things are better than on track and we hope that continues for the rest of the year." However, he said this does vary. He concluded by saying "we will not have any degree of certainty until we get the June figures. It will be early July, therefore, before I would be firm on the figures, but so far so good."

Will the Taoiseach confirm to the House and to the country that he agrees with his Minister for Finance that Exchequer Estimates were broadly correct, and that the recovery programme that was in place is working?

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