Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

We are spending money on hundreds of projects and an enormous amount in Deputy Joe Higgins's constituency, and he stands up and says that is not the case. On the latest list, five schools have been built. Enormous resources from the €1.5 billion are being put into transport infrastructure. A sum of €500 million is being spent on education. Such spending is reflected in individual schools in individual communities. At a time when the population is growing, our capital and roads programme is far larger than anything that has ever been undertaken in the history of the State. These are the facts.

In Deputy Joe Higgins's area, a new accident and emergency unit has opened in Blanchardstown hospital. There have been enormous increases in the infrastructure and staffing at that hospital. These developments are helping significantly, as is the capital programme in housing and social and affordable housing. All these initiatives by this Government are helping the Deputy's constituents every day.

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