Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I expect that a number of reports will be finalised soon and that the expenditure review initiative momentum will increase as a result of the steering committee's report.

With regard to those which have not been completed, there are various reasons for that, some of which I might not agree with upon examination. I have accepted the steering committee's recommendations but it is not the only mechanism. There are others under the national development plan where other forms of evaluation, such as a sectoral evaluation, take place. I cannot give a general reason for 40 of them not being completed but there are reasons, some of which are good and some of which are bad. However, 97 have been completed.

See this speech in context