Mr. Tony Murphy:

Yes. GNI is the main source of funding for the EU budget, in fact.

The drawdown under the RF is done by way of predetermined instalments and they are linked, in a way, to the achievement of milestones or targets. It is laid out in the plans that different steps will be met by particular dates and they are linked then to the instalment in some way, although not fully, in terms of costs, let us say. That is an issue that we have, as auditors. It is a totally different delivery mechanism which is very far removed from what we see, for instance, in cohesion funding. It is completely different. A plan is adopted at the start to establish a cost for the plan and then, in a way, the costs do not really matter. The issue is basically whether the milestone has been reached or the investment target has been met. If, for instance, the pre-financing of 13% is drawn down by Ireland, it will just be deducted from the first instalment, which is due in 2022 in any case. I think it is €320 million or thereabouts. That is the mechanics of it. It is very much linked to the progress made with the implementation of the plan.

In terms of fiscal change, as the Deputy said, general discussions are ongoing. We are there to audit the decisions taken and are not part of the political decision-making process.