Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We discussed this matter on Committee Stage. The Bill is ultimately concerned with the technical rules for setting multi-annual limits on expenditure. It is a short and discrete Bill in that regard. I do not propose that sub-components of expenditure should be set out by way of regulation within these departmental ceilings. I understand why Deputy Fleming would make a point concerning capital expenditure.

The €150 million I announced was an allocation of €50 million to three different Government Departments. Obviously, that has to be accounted for and voted upon in the normal way. Assuming that they spend everything that has already been voted, there will be an additional €50 million to be dealt with by way of supplementary Estimate. That is the way it will happen. If they make substantial savings, it might not be required, but on the capital side I do not want them to make savings in those areas. We have tried to strike a balance between what is affordable in terms of capital expenditure and maintaining as much State expenditure to a depressed sector of the economy. I wish we could spend more and hopefully through our interaction with the European Investment Bank and other lending agencies we will be able to get more available capital in construction and other sides of the economy including, for example, money for the SME sector.

I am not quite sure whether the Deputy is serious about this or is making a point. However, I do not think it is appropriate to the technical Bill before us.

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