Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister and his team for being here this morning. I join the Minister in commending the staff in the Department more generally and specifically the staff in his section. During my time as spokesperson we have found them to be incredibly helpful and always willing to offer a briefing and to answer questions. As they say, I want to associate myself with the remarks made by the Minister.

I have a small few questions. As the Minister said, we have no right to veto it and it would be a very stupid politician who would come in here and veto the Christmas bonus anyway. We do not tend to do that. I have a couple of questions based on the information provided and the Minister's opening statement. He referred to overspends partially mitigated by underspending in other schemes. Will he give us an overview of the schemes where there was an underspend and perhaps provide a little bit of information as to why this was? I ask him the same regarding areas where there was an overspend and to account for this if he can.