Irish budget data for the first eight months of 2010 published on Thursday showed commentary suggesting Ireland was in fiscal jeopardy was wrong, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said on Thursday.

Our forecasts have held up, Lenihan told public television RTE. The financial administration of the country is on target, he added.

Data released earlier on Thursday showed Ireland's budget deficit fell in the first eight months of 2010 from a year ago due to changes in bank aid accounting and the finance ministry said fiscal trends remained in line with its targets.

(Reporting by Andras Gergely; Editing by Ron Askew)