Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have two more quick questions for the representatives from the Department. The point has been made by Mr. O'Mara Walsh that this issue is seen in terms of hotels and hotel bookings. I refer, however, to the wider spending in this context. I thank the officials for the briefing document in this regard. We have a breakdown of spending by county regarding these funds. In Dublin, some €2 billion has been spent. In my county of Meath, €80 million has been spent. I think I am right in saying Mr. O'Mara Walsh made the point that, potentially, a decrease in spending of perhaps €1 billion may result from removing these beds from the tourism sector. I am sure this is a figure that will cause alarm and one the Department of Finance would equally be alarmed about. Turning to Mr. Ó Lionáin, I ask him to comment regarding the impact of this money leaving the economy in respect of projections for the year ahead.