Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

I entirely agree. The issue still revolves around how we can pay for it all in a way that is sustainable and whereby we can avoid making commitments which, in future, we find out we cannot afford. It is about how we ensure capital investment happens in a way, to go back to Deputy Brennan's question, that does not cause other issues in our economy. I agree with Deputy Timmins that capital spending is very different from current spending. It has a very evident and clear economic multiplier.

On the final question, I am aware of some of the reports and the work of the CSO on the slow start to the year in tourism.

However, I have also seen that the CSO is now engaging with the tourism sector on the figures it has used to see if there are any issues there that might be leading to the figures not being recorded accurately. I know how important tourism is. It is deservedly very important in the Deputy's own constituency. We will certainly be considering how to support that sector in the run-up to the budget.