A number of Senators also referred to the events of 11 September and the impact of the foot and mouth disease crisis. It has to be recognised that the global economy has failed to recover at the pace expected earlier this year and the short-term prospects are not good. That has been clearly recognised throughout Europe and in the US. GDP in the euro area is forecast to grow by just 0.8% this year, rising to 1.8% only in 2003. Those figures are down significantly on the rates we have seen in recent years. To minimise the effect of the economic downturn is to lose sight of reality. It may suit some people to ignore the facts, but the Minister and the Government are dealing with them and will continue to do so.