Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

When I assumed office, I was surprised to find how few hard facts had been assembled by the previous Government concerning a programme that was well under way and had started in 2008. I recognise, however, that there has been progress. The Revenue on-line system has been significant, but there is not the basic measurement matrix across each Department that would allow me to answer that question. That is why I have moved to bring momentum to this, get a proper measurement and start to obtain a baseline as to how much has been achieved. Many Departments have achieved a lot, but others have scope to do an awful lot more. I am therefore trying to pick up the pieces and give more momentum to this process.

I am quoting figures from the previous Government. The overall figure is €500 million, which it is believed could be achieved. We have delivered €187 million in areas that bear directly on enterprise from my Department. We need to quantify how much has been achieved and what remains to be done. I want to give momentum to delivering on the target.

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