Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

-----although the director made certain comments about it at the time. We will always work in close co-operation with the director.

Deputies Burton and Ó Snodaigh asked where the money was found within the group of Votes allocated to the Taoiseach so that, although there has to be a Supplementary Estimate in law because of the independence of the director, we have sufficient funds to meet these accrued liabilities. Within the Taoiseach's group, we have located savings at the Central Statistics Office and at the National Economic and Social Development Office. There is also the position in regard to the Moriarty tribunal where certain third party fees are not yet agreed, so that liability has not yet arisen. Therefore, we have been able to find the necessary funds within the Vote allocated to the Taoiseach to meet this requirement.

That is really as far as I can move it. I welcome the comments of the Opposition in regard to the director. I agree with them in regard to the tremendous job he has done and is doing. I commend the Estimate to the House and welcome the support of the Opposition parties for it.

See this speech in context