Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his honesty.

I take it that the IDA Ireland savings will not have an effect on any potential foreign investment, although I am sure the Minister will clarify that. Has her Department ever considered introducing multi-annual budgets for the IDA as opposed to an annual budget? It would alleviate the need to divert money from its budget at the end of year where it is not spent, and would give the IDA better certainty in planning for future development. It would know exactly what level of funding it had over a multi-annual period. There are many regions, and any of us could identify projects in our constituencies that could be delivered. The IDA will always state it has a defined budget and must adhere to it. At the end of the year, however, some of the agency's money will be reallocated to other projects, which a multi-annual budget might prevent happening in the future.