I would like to ask one supplementary in relation to Question No. 26.

I want to ask a question.

I will allow Deputy Cluskey one question but he must make it one question. His last supplementary amounted to more than one question.

To what does the Minister attribute the fact that in the White Paper the Government claimed that a growth rate of five per cent would be attained in the present year when it is clearly accepted by all economic agencies that the growth rate will be nil in the current year?

I am sorry to disappoint the Deputy.

Will the Minister explain the discrepancy between what was claimed to be the projected growth rate in the current year and the actual growth rate? I assume that even the Minister is not mad enough to claim that it will be five per cent.

Of course the growth rate declined just as it did——

What does the Minister anticipate that it will be?

Please, Deputy, this is a whole series of supplementaries.

This is silly lecturing from Deputy Cluskey.

I do not want lectures from any side of the House.

I would not attempt to lecture the Minister as I know less than most people about this and the Minister knows less than me.

Will the Deputy please resume his seat until the Minister replies?

Of course the growth rate dropped. It was not achieved here nor was it achieved in any other EEC or OECD country. The Deputy said that this year there would be a nil growth rate and I dispute that. There will be a positive growth rate——

What will it be?

At this stage I cannot be certain but it will be positive.

Deputy Kelly, please.

Could I tell the Minister, just before I finish——

Please do not tell him anything, Deputy.

I would request the Taoiseach to sit in the bull pen the next time the Minister is answering questions.