asked the Minister for Finance if the targets in Building on Reality 1985-87 in relation to the budget deficit will be adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As already stated in the Financial Statement of 29 January 1986 the broad approach to budgetary policy this year will be concerned with cutting back the Exchequer borrowing requirement and the current budget deficit, but not fully to the extent implicit in the national plan. This approach has been adopted to avoid impairing the economy's capacity to benefit from the improving international outlook. The question of the current budget deficit target of 5 per cent of GNP in 1987 will be considered in the context of the 1987 budget.

The Minister should be more articulate in his replies. In so far as I can gather from the mumbling, Building on Reality is now discarded and a different approach in regard to budget deficit policy is being adopted. Is that the net effect of the Minister's reply?

No. It is clear enough.

Would the Minister repeat the reply?

No.

That is my interpretation of the Minister's reply in so far as I heard portions of the mumblings.

I cannot be responsible for the Deputy's hearing or his understanding.

My hearing is excellent. Whatever about the mumblings and fumblings, are the targets in regard to budget deficit policy and in regard to the whole range of Government policy built into Building on Reality still valid in so far as the Government are concerned?

Yes.