Despite the international economic downturn in recent years, Ireland's growth rate is still well above the EU average. The EU Commission projects GDP growth for Ireland of 3.7% in 2004 compared to growth in the EU 15 of 2%. Our unemployment rate at 4.4%, which is down from 10.3% in 1997, is currently half the EU average and our general Government debt level at an estimated 34% of GDP is the second lowest in the EU. It is important that we do not allow these achievements to be dissipated by imprudent management of the economy now.