Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The evidence given by the Government of which Deputy Martin was a member was that there was a finite limit on this, but there was not. His Government signed a blank cheque.

We reviewed and published the capital programme only last week. Some €17 billion will go into capital programmes in the coming years. Against all of the recessionary trends we have still managed to provide clarity in respect of the national children's hospital, central mental hospital and a range of other necessary activities and infrastructure. I would love to say that all projects will be implemented but that is not possible. One must cut one's cloth according to one's measure. That will remain the situation until we get our public finances in order and our country headed in the direction, and to the extent, that we would like. We are not in control of our economic sovereignty. The fundamental reason for that is that somebody wrote a blank cheque without knowing the extent of the problems.

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