Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is precisely because of the analysis of our current expenditure projections offered by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council that we have increased them for the summer economic statement. The average rate of projected economic growth in the SPU was 2.5%. In the forecast for the medium-term projection, which underpins the two different scenarios, I have increased the rate of expenditure growth to 3.25%, an increase of one third. I have done so in recognition of the views being offered on this issue and based on my own experience of managing current expenditure and the different pressures associated with it. I have a different view from the Deputy and from some of the analysis offered in that I still believe that if we begin to predetermine projected current expenditure growth into the future it will, in itself, create a base off which Government decisions will then be made. That would be the wrong course to take.

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