Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The reason the Minister is present is that, unfortunately, the Tánaiste got caught in traffic. It is a rather bad omen on day three of the 21st century transport plan that the Tánaiste cannot get to the Dáil on time. Perhaps the Luas should to be extended to her constituency more speedily.

Yesterday, an interesting report compiled by Deputy Rabbitte was presented by the Committee of Public Accounts. It proposes a new approach to dealing with the Estimates. In that context, when will we see this year's Estimates? Does the Minister agree with the approach proposed, that Members have earlier sight of the Estimates, such as on a date in September, that there should be greater opportunity to evaluate them through the provision of hard technical information on evaluation and options and that the Dáil should have the power to deal with the Estimates in a more coherent manner?

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