Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Taoiseach in his earlier reply spoke of a care and maintenance position being adopted in the absence of the restoration of the institutions. Is he aware the Secretary of State and a number of direct rule Ministers have indicated that is not the case and there is no impediment to them taking decisions on major cross-Border capital works in the absence of the restoration of the institutions? However, I agree projects would be expedited and would proceed with greater care and enthusiasm under indigenous occupants of these positions. Nevertheless, does the Taoiseach accept the use of this phraseology and the trundling out of the care and maintenance approach as an excuse for the absence of progress is not acceptable and that, under the programme for Government, there must be an enthusiastic pursuit of all the projects, including those I cited such as the Ulster Canal et al?

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