Mr. John Hogan:

Before I answer that question, it might be useful to inform the committee about the breadth and extent of the projects that have been included in the list without going through the individual projects. In sectoral terms, in the energy sector, the total investment in the projects put forward by Ireland was approximately €2.55 billion; it was estimated that €2.25 billion of this could possibly be invested between 2015 and 2017. In the knowledge and digital economy the total investment suggested was €730 million, with €500 million possibly being invested between 2015 and 2017. In the broad area of resources and the environment the total investment suggested was approximately €1.86 billion, with €460 million possibly being invested between 2015 and 2017. The figure for the transport sector was €11.32 billion, with €1.71 billion possibly being invested in the next two years. The figure for social infrastructure was €5 billion, with the last category being SME lending, in respect of which a total investment of €800 million was suggested, with a further investment of €800 million being possible between 2015 and 2017.

In terms of a return on its investment for the private sector, it depends on the nature and construct of the proposal being put in place. It really depends on the outcome of individual operation agreements but is not without precedent. We have a number of PPP projects in Ireland involving private sector investors. Such projects have been under way here for a number of years and I do not see any major difference in the approach taken.