Mr. Seamus Coffey:

Similar to the commentary on budget 2018 as a whole, if these are to be priorities, there really is no restriction on us devoting our resources towards them. It is simply a matter of choosing our priorities. If the Deputy thinks a repositioning of the economy is required and resources should be devoted to particular areas, that choice is available. It is not up to us to deny or allow that choice. It is available given that resources are there and additional resources will be created. This budget included revenue-raising measures that allowed increases across a range of areas. If one argues that those proposals are where the priorities should lie-----