Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Rabbitte seems not to be asking me a question but to be making a statement. The Travers report is a comprehensive examination of all the facts. The report is being examined comprehensively before a joint oireachtas committee and people are giving their evidence. Deputy Rabbitte knows many of the issues he raises are dealt with fully in the report. The Deputy wants to make a political judgment in respect of those aspects. Everybody can study the report and the evidence. I will attempt neither to rewrite the Travers report nor to put a political spin on the evidence which has been heard by the committee.

Deputy Rabbitte began by raising the figure of €1 billion. It is not precisely known how many will respond to the scheme. The Tánaiste's latest figure is €850 million but we cannot know how many claims will come in, for what periods, for what amounts and all other relevant data until the scheme is in place. The cost could well go to €1 billion and we will have to make supplementary provision for that.

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