Is the Government strongly considering changing its legislative approach to multinational corporations in light of the amazingly embarrassing events of this week - the release of fake GDP figures - in respect of which this State must now pay €280 million to the EU? This arises from the fact that native Irish capitalism is so weak that it has to prostrate itself in front of multinational corporations and allow them to pay virtually nothing in this State. The Government boasts that €1.5 million is being given to the north inner city. Meanwhile, we have to hand over €280 million for no other reason than to spare the blushes of this Government. We are constantly threatened with fines by Europe with regard to public housing initiatives and water charges. We have now been fined by Europe because of a fake growth rate of 26% arising from the slavish attitude of this State to multinationals. It allows them to locate brass-plate operations in the State, showing fake profits. The Government ought to be ashamed.

The thousands of people employed by such companies throughout this country certainly will not agree with the Deputy's analysis regarding the important role that they play in this economy. I repeat that these figures were not published by the Government but were published independently in line with international norms-----

Of 26% growth.

That is the reality. There are exceptional factors relating to the aviation industry and certain taxes, as has been explained to this House. The point is that the CSO has said that it is addressing the implications of that. I have made it very clear that from a budgetary point of view, the fiscal space available for spending on our services and on reducing taxes remains as outlined in the summer statement. The Government will continue to act on the projections made by the Department of Finance. One must understand why those figures were what they were. There were specific reasons, and the budget negotiations continue with the EU.