David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand that. When a budget is framed for 2024, we have to be conscious of what went before in 2023. I will finish my point so we are clear. We are facing a deficit of €1.5 billion, the majority of which is coming from costs outside the control of Mr. Gloster and Mr. Watt, including those resulting from inflation and increased demand.

Even if Mr. Gloster achieves all of the savings - he pointed out that he wants to achieve savings and that some cost controls have been put in place - we are still running a deficit of around €1.5 billion. That is the position.