Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

For that reason, in the intensive discussions it has had with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, the troika stated it would produce a technical paper on this issue which is of such importance to the deficit and to our capacity to repay our debts. I look forward with great interest to that paper being produced because the potential benefit is significant. However, it would require the support of the 27 member states.

I reverse the Deputy's argument and that of Deputy Martin by stating that the spend in the next number of years is €17 billion in a capital programme which includes 40 new schools, 180 serious refurbishments and a creative way, as outlined by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to deal through the national lottery with the National Children's Hospital which will be of such importance over the coming 50 years. It also deals with the European Investment Bank provisions for major infrastructure, in particular the roads programme, including Newlands Cross and the N11. The Deputy can take it the Government is seriously interested, having discussed with the social partners the possibility of pension funds and other investment opportunities being brought in from outside the programme for Government in respect of-----

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