Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Michael McGrath asked about the capital spend and the likelihood that we can achieve what we set out to achieve by 2040 because of the increased construction costs. To paraphrase the Minister, he said he was not concerned right now about that. It is clear that construction costs are only going one way. I presume, because of the tightening in the labour market, that wages will go in only one way. It is obvious that the Government will not be able to achieve what is envisaged. If things are costing more and we are paying more in construction costs and wages, there will be less to spend on capital projects. The Minister said that some of them may be pushed out for various reasons. I am not suggesting that some of them are being cancelled or anything. Can the Minister give us some more detail on projects which may be pushed out? Are there valid reasons for this? Is planning the issue?