Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Almost 5% of GDP is quite a high level of capital investment compared to many other member states in the eurozone. That said, it is justifiably high given our infrastructural needs. The Government's commitment to peg the figure at a definite sum for the next five years is welcome and ensures there is stability and certainty about the continuance of that level of public investment.

Deputy Bruton referred to other forms of investment apart from the public capital programme, such as the investments which can be made through devices such as investments made by the ESB or Bord Gáis in different projects, something which those commercial enterprises are free to do. As Deputy Bruton is aware, the dividends which the State might have obtained from these bodies in recent years have been foregone in order that enterprises have cheaper energy prices. That is a vital economic need in the current stressed economic conditions.

The Deputy referred to his party's document on these matters - I do not want to be contentious about it so I will not discuss it today - but the figures do not allow for the fact that it is necessary at this point in time to give support to energy companies and energy prices for business. That is what the Government is doing.

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