David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I too would welcome that costings document. It is quite extraordinary that we have a programme for Government that is so vague and where it is not vague, there are no costings with many of the proposals. The Minister mentioned earlier in response to Deputy Howlin that €6.5 billion of extra investment was being put aside by the Government for public services and capital expenditure. Some €3 billion of that is "standing still" money. It is to do with changing demographics and public sector pay. Therefore, in net terms, only €3.5 billion will be used to improve services. This information is in the document, which states the provisions are inclusive of public sector pay, which is the Lansdowne Road agreement, and aging or changing demographics. Therefore, in real terms, we will only see a €3.5 billion investment. That is perhaps why many of the measures in the programme for Government, which Fianna Fáil has signed up to, are not fully costed. I would welcome the bringing forward of the costings for the proposals as soon as possible.

See this speech in context