Noonan confident ahead of Troika report

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said that he is confident Ireland will again pass the latest review of our bailout by the Troika.

Minister Noonan said that the eighth review, which began yesterday, will show that more than 160 targets have been met since the bailout commenced.

He said that his department is preparing new forecasts, but that growth this year will be "somewhere in the region" of the 0.7% previously predicted.

Minister Noonan also said that despite some Government spending not being under control, the Budget promises to the Troika will be kept.

"While there are spending pressures in health and social protection, I remain confident that we can meet this year's 8.6% of GDP deficit target," he said.

"What is clear also, however, is that we continue to spend far more than we collect in revenue.

"Closing this gap further in the years ahead presents a very real challenge to policymakers, but we must remain steadfast in our commitment to reduce the deficit to below 3% of GDP."