Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

We are in a bit of a difficulty here because our capital investment has been incredibly low historically. For about ten or 15 years we were probably investing the second lowest in terms of GDP in the EU. Depreciation has hit our capital stock quite significantly over that period.

The second element, which Mr. Barnes mentioned a number of times, is the danger of overheating. What research has been done in terms of the capacity that exists within the different sectors before we get into a position of overheating? I have heard the Government say in recent times, even in the housing market, that money is no longer an issue any more, that it is actually capacity. Is there a quantification of existing capacity in the housing sector and in other sectors so that we understand better how we can invest without overheating?