Mr. Seamus Coffey:

Again, it is a matter of choice. As the economy begins to grow in a sustainable fashion there will be resources available. For the increase in spending in 2019 our tax measures are €3.5 billion. That alone is more than 70% of the €5 billion referred to by Deputy Ryan. I am not saying we have to devote all the resources to it but they are the resources that are generated in just one year. If the economy continues performing reasonably well over a five or six year period than one will get significant resources being generated. It then becomes an allocation decision and it is decided what the resources should be used for. If the economy is not generating sufficient resources on a sustainable basis to meet all those projects then should we introduce revenue raising measures? If this is a priority there is €3.5 billion available next year, and on an annual basis there may be something similar, and there is the possibility to raise even more resources through tax increases. Although €5 billion sounds like a significant amount, over ten years it is something we can do if we want to decide to do it.