Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.

The total allocation for my Department for 2007 is €40.624 million. This is an increase of 8% — €3.026 million — on the 2006 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 16 November last.

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

See this speech in context