Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I would apply that to a range of areas in many different Departments; it is not exclusive to my Department. I understand the bona fides of the point made by the Deputy, but the reality of Government is that one must make choices which are sometimes very difficult. We are also criticised for not reducing public expenditure substantially. One cannot have it both ways. It is either one or the other and one tries to find a balance. I realise it is a luxury of Opposition to suggest that we should maintain it but I am setting out what the parameters are in an honest way. Hopefully, we will come to a conclusion and that is the reason the Irish Sports Council is there.

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