Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Bruton is only arriving at that conclusion on the basis that the public capital programme is being funded by the taxpayer and not by borrowing. I agree with much of what Deputy Bruton said about the gravity of our position but the realistic way to look at the matter is to accept we are borrowing this year to fund approximately 10% of all our current expenditure. I agree that is unacceptable. It amounts in total to a borrowing of €4.7 billion, which will have to be paid for in future.

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