Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

The total allocation for my Department for 2006 is €37.498 million. This is a decrease of 4% —€1.467 million — on the 2005 Revised Estimates allocation. Details of the Estimates are set out in the Abridged Estimates for the public service, which were presented to the Dáil on 17 November 2005.

I look forward to addressing specific issues relating to the Estimates provisions when they are considered in the usual way by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. I also look forward to responding to questions which Deputies may wish to table separately on specific aspects of the work of my Department.

See this speech in context