Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I was very honest with the Deputy when he asked this question. There was a significant underspend last year by local authorities on the water system. They saw Irish Water coming along and did not want to use any of their own co-funding money to do sanctioned water schemes. I applied as much pressure as I could but local authorities are independent in making those decisions. It is certainly an issue.

I want any allocated capital to be spent because I scrimp and save and push to get that capital. I had discussions with the European Investment Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank and with our domestic banks to find capital. We need to supplement the capital spend on the public side because so little is being spent on the private side, except for foreign direct investment, with Intel and others building. We need to ensure what is allocated is spent, and I will continue to endeavour to do that.

The Deputies opposite can help in the committees by ensuring periodically during the year that line Ministers apply whatever pressure they can, whether in the education sector, the environment sector or whatever sector, to ensure voted money is spent in accordance with their scheduling.

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