Jack Wall
Question:95 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement in relation to possible amendment or re-interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact. [25369/01]
Written Answers. - Stability and Growth Pact.
I am not aware of any plans to amend or reinterpret the Stability and Growth Pact. The pact provides for the strengthening of the surveillance of member states' budgetary positions. It requires member states to commit themselves to aim for a medium term budgetary position of close to balance or in surplus. The pact also clarifies the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure.
As recently as 21 September, the ECOFIN in Liége reaffirmed the commitment to the Stability and Growth Pact in a statement on the economic impact of the 11 September attacks in the United States. In the statement we made clear the "commitment to the framework, rules and full implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact".