Vol. 557 No. 1
198 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance his projection of the general Government balance in 2002; and the elements which have caused changes in this projection compared to the estimate which he made in Budget 2002. [21274/02]
The projected general Government balance for 2002 is for a deficit of around €700 million or 0.6% of GDP. The estimate made in budget 2002 was for a surplus of €837 million or 0.7% of GDP. The elements which have caused changes to the budget day projection relate in the main to the projected shortfall of €1,300 million in tax revenue and the non-counting of euro changeover receipts, offset by receipts from the sale of 3G phone licences and a reduction in our EU budget contribution.
