Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have been in record as arguing for the NPRF to be used as a stimulus so I welcome the fact that the Minister is finally moving in this direction. Next month, it will be two years since the Minister announced this legislation. He says he is hopeful it can be enacted by the end of the year. Deputy Michael McGrath raised other issues in respect of governance. We know there is a commitment in terms of the water metering project, with which I disagree. There is €6.4 billion in this discretionary portfolio fund. When will we see a sizeable amount of that money invested in the economy? Tens of thousands of people who left these shores in the two years or so since the Minister announced this fund have given up. How much longer can we tell them to hang on, that this money will be made available, that it will be injected and that they will see at least half of it invested? Will it be next year or the year after? When will we see real investment and can directional orders still be given? The Minister gave directional orders to the NPRF to invest in AIB and Bank of Ireland. Is that still an option or will it be completely commercial?

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