Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Maxwell. I assure him that since taking office, ensuring money does not go back has been on my mind. I have been assured, and information has been provided to me, that we always spend our money on the fisheries side. We are using that fact to argue for additional funds. In all elements within that overall Department, we have projects and planning permissions in place. We have all of that in advance. We have a good track record on spending the money. I have every confidence that we will not be sending money back.

What I am more concerned about is that we could spend more if we had it. In previous years, there was a possibility of getting additional resources towards the end of the year, but I am well warned by the senior Minister, Department officials and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation that we will not be getting additional resources towards the end of the year, as we might have expected in previous years. I assure the Deputy that we will have the money spent, barring some unforeseen circumstance. I always have to include that caveat.