Charlie McCreevy (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I was about to deal with that matter. There was a hint that this was going to be a bit of a laugh and that Ireland could possibly be criticised and have maybe a deficit of 0.6%. We were regarded as close to balance on the basis of the cyclically adjusted budgetary balance, which is a very complicated method of calculation used in recent years – it is too complicated for any politician to examine – and which brings it to a particular level. The Exchequer borrowing requirement for this year will be 0.6%, while it is projected as being 1.2% for 2004 and 2005. That does not mean that I must adhere to those particular figures and I will make whatever changes are necessary in the budget. That is also cyclically adjusted going forward.