Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett for his expression of condolence. I appreciate it. We too have often questioned the work of consultants over the years. I assume that if this was to be designed to motorway status in the first instance, then consultants would have been employed. I do not have a figure for what was allocated to consultants who worked on the road design, whether any of them was employed by this State or what process was followed. If that figure becomes available, I will send it to the Deputy.

In respect of the public sector protest march against cutbacks, every group takes its own actions. As I replied to Deputy Higgins earlier, there was a huge dependence on public sector workers in Northern Ireland for many years. The Executive clearly considered the implications of the economy of Northern Ireland for the next number of years. It took all these things into account and passed its programme on the day I was to meet the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. No more than here, people are perfectly entitled to protest provided that they are peaceful.

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