Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for what has been, by and large, a constructive debate. I had the privilege of sitting in the House throughout the entire debate and many interesting ideas and suggestions were put forward.

A point was just made about the alleged difference between the ESRI and the Department of Finance. This possibly arises from rounding up and rounding down figures. The ESRI is forecasting gross national product will contract by 4.6% this year and the Department of Finance is forecasting a contraction of 4.5%. There is really no difference.