Mr. Michael Howard:

I am satisfied, given the extraordinary pressure that we were under. I must ask the committee to bear a point in mind. We have limited resources and we try to concentrate them on following the money, as it were. The overall figure for allowances is approximately €100 million, of which more than half is spent on the military service allowance. The bulk of what is left is connected with technician pay and security duty allowances, namely, Portlaoise and overseas peace support allowances, which have been reviewed in relatively modern times. We have identified these and will focus our analytical ability and attention on them, as they are where the money can be found.

Regarding the 65 other allowances, we did the best job that we could in the time available. One can devote an excessive amount of time to researching some allowances that might not yield much money. The Deputy is entitled to form an opinion on the quality of the business case. Given what I know of the allowances and the circumstances in which they are paid, the material submitted should have conveyed sufficient knowledge to make a decision. This was the purpose of the exercise. Given the country's difficult situation, such exercises must be completed quickly. It is important that they be completed. We are proud of the fact that, when we are given deadlines, we meet them. I gently and respectfully disagree with the Deputy regarding the quality of the process.