Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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While I accept part of what Mr. O'Brien said in his response, there is a very valid point which the Department and the Government were considering. If one develops PPPs to such an extent and they come back on to the balance sheet through a ruling of EUROSTAT, there are major implications for the State. The cautionary approach still needs to be exercised. I take Mr. O'Brien's point that we have moved to such a point in terms of EUROSTAT rulings that almost nothing can qualify. Sin scéal eile. As long as there is an outstanding possibility at a future point in time for a ruling that the PPP comes back on to the State borrowing requirement, it is best to take on board the element of caution. We do not want to put ourselves in a situation where we deem a number of project to be PPPs and then find out to our cost that they come back to haunt us.