Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Does the Deputy wish to hear the answer?

I did not come in to the House to apologise but to notify the House that the €56.4 million was not going into the Revised Estimates volume and that I could only get confirmation of what the precise capital carry over was when the appropriation account due by 31 March was to hand. I have given the background of the organisational changes which took place in the first year.

The real issue is that despite the efforts made by some to misrepresent the position, there is a current account overspend of just €300,000 on a total current capital budget of €11.4 billion and an actual capital carry over of €51 million instead of what was envisaged at €56.4 million. Subject to the audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General confirming that matter, this is something of a storm in a teacup.

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