There is light at the end of the tunnel
It is important that the Irish people understand that, despite the severe difficulties which the country has experienced over the last few years, there is now light at the end of the tunnel.
Economic growth has returned on the back of a strong performance of Irish exports in the first half of the year, as the country has recovered much of the competitiveness it lost in the years leading up to the crisis. Fiscal consolidation is on track, with the Government establishing a strong track record and showing that it is capable of taking the difficult decisions that are necessary to res-tore sustainability to public finances. The budget deficit for 2011 is projected to be well within the programme ceiling of 10.6% of GDP, and the Government is strongly committed to reducing it to below 3% by 2015, in line with its European commitments.
