Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Three points, not two, were raised and I will try to answer them. The written understandings I have with the three Deputies concerned are based on the national development plan, Transport 21, the multi-annual programmes and the Book of Estimates. As I stated yesterday, some €187 billion is provided for in the national development plan; €34 billion in Transport 21 and we spend approximately €52 billion annually on the capital programmes and the current budget deficit. There is considerable resources within those figures. As I stated yesterday I am committed, as Taoiseach, to implementing as many of the programmes as I can based on those understandings. That is the position.

In regard to Deputy Flynn, her wish, and that of every Member on this side of the House, is to see all these programmes implemented. She is as anxious as any other Deputy that this is done. She has not raised any other issue or sought agreement in writing on the issues raised. She did not ask for a written agreement; she understands that is the position.

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