Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

I do not know much more than I did before the question was answered. I accept, however, that the Minister cannot predict what will be the figure and that we will be obliged to wait until the end of next year.

If the 5% target is to be perceived as being real, every effort must be made to reach it. Does the Minister of State intend to increase funding in the next two months and in the first half of 2007 to help us achieve the target? Can he provide a commitment that if the report, when it is published at the end of next year, shows that we only reached 3.5% or 4%, he will provide additional resources to ensure that the 5% target is reached? There is no point setting targets if we do not make an effort to reach them.

The Minister of State commented earlier that young people, whether in connection with drugs, suicide or car accidents, believe that nothing bad can happen to them. I agree with him in that regard. A cross-departmental effort must be made in respect of these matters and there should be an advertising campaign to emphasise that bad things can happen to young people. Only one in 8 million people win the national lottery, but we are told that it can happen to all of us. Everyone believes that they can win the lottery. If they did not, they would not buy tickets. However, when it comes to dabbling in drugs, driving like lunatics or taking their own lives, people do not believe that anything bad can happen to them. As the Minister stated, this is a matter we can tackle and it might help us reach the 5% target.

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