The Government's handling of the economy has been severely criticised by the Opposition following the publication of last year's full Exchequer returns.
The Fine Gael finance spokesman, Mr Jim Mitchell, said the surplus had been cut by €2.5 billion because of lower-than-expected tax growth and major increases in public spending.
"At least these figures are genuine, unlike the figures produced in the Budget for 2002," Mr Mitchell said.
The Labour spokesman on enterprise, trade and employment, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said the figures confirmed the drift in public finances. "Tax receipts show no sign of the predicted economic recovery," he said.
He added that the Government's surplus was €3 billion below his Budget predictions in December 2000. "Rarely before has a finance minister got his figures so badly wrong."
