Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not giving any indication that dealing with a no-deal Brexit will create the kind of circumstances that we had to deal with in 2008, 2009 and 2010. It is very different in scale and that is the reason I am saying that even in a no-deal Brexit, commitments with respect to capital expenditure and dealing with the demographics of our society should still be met. We can do so. Notwithstanding the debate we had earlier, we have an economy that is able to deal with the challenges of Brexit and to meet the other commitments we have. It is what I want to do.

In the first seven months of the year, we had an increase of 1,138 whole-time equivalents working in the health service.

Going back to the debate we had earlier, I am very aware that any decision I make about budget supplements for the Department of Health and elsewhere has a really big effect on services and citizens. I was very much aware of this when I made the decision last year. If I had taken other steps to reduce the scale of supplement beyond what it was at that point, I would have faced other charges on the effect. I made the decision and I am accountable to Members for t. As I stated to Deputy Lisa Chambers in our earlier exchange, issues, mistakes or things that could have been done differently are my responsibility. I made the decisions conscious of the consequences at each point in time.

The Deputy asked about dealing with the insurance sector. I have participated in engagements and discussions on the sector with the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy. When the budget is done and in the light of the points made by the Deputy, I will work with the Minister of State to see if further engagement involving me could make a difference.