asked the Minister for Finance the estimated growth rate in the economy for the coming five year period taking into account that this country will be a member of EEC at a future date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Economic Growth Rate.
18.
I would refer the Deputy to paragraph 5.40 of the White Paper, "The accession of Ireland to the European Communities," where it is stated that "if competitiveness is achieved, it is estimated that the annual national growth rate will average nearly 5 per cent in the period 1970 to 1978"; that "the tempo of expansion, however, is likely to be uneven in the early years of the transitional period when the remaining tariffs are being eliminated under the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement and the increases in agricultural income have not had their full impact on the economy"; but that "following this phase the growth rate is expected to accelerate as the economy benefits from adaptation and the increased rate of establishment of new industry".
Do I take it that it is in the agricultural sector in the main that we may expect the greatest increase in growth rate?
This has all been covered by the White Paper.
If Government expenditure is going to continue increasing at the rate of 20 per cent per annum, why will our growth rate be only 5 per cent per annum? How long do the Government think this can continue?
That is a separate question.
It is a separate question.