Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Again, the Deputy asks a very good question. There is a view that having gone through such a painful and difficult period of expenditure, we can somehow take our foot off the pedal. Even if we achieve all our targets, and we are determined we will, the fact that our deficit is expected to be of the order of 4.8% this year shows that we are still not out of the woods. We need to get to our agreed target of a deficit below 3% of GDP next year. There are positive signs. The Deputy saw the first quarter figures in terms of taxes which are above profile. This shows a healthy and growing economy, particularly the employment figures. Both employment and employment revenues such as PRSI indicate a recovery. However, we cannot slacken on discipline in terms of ensuring that the profiles we have set out are maintained. I know all my colleagues around the Cabinet table understand that fully and will maintain the discipline that has brought us to the good place we are now in.

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