Brendan Howlin
Question:91. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the estimated fiscal space available in 2019 to 2021 following budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44806/17]
View answerTuesday, 24 October 2017
Questions (91)
Written answers
The current estimates of net fiscal space for the years 2019 to 2021 are set out below. It is important to stress that the figures, as always, are work-in-progress estimates and will evolve over time.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Net fiscal space (€ billions) |
3.2 |
3.5 |
3.6 |
I want to highlight, however, that the economy is now on a path towards full-employment. In these circumstances, I will not jeopardise our recovery by adopting pro-cyclical fiscal policies that overheat the economy and put our future livelihoods at risk. Instead I will focus on the appropriate stance of fiscal policy.
In other words, I will focus on what is right for the economy and not on what is legally permissible under the rules. In this regard, I want to assure the Deputy that the Government will not repeat the mistakes of the past by adopting inappropriate taxation and spending policies for short-term gain that have involve major long-term pain.
Steady, incremental and sustainable budgetary policy is the way to improve our living standards and that is how I intend to decide and implement policy.