Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Off-balance sheet funding is not necessarily more expensive and does not necessarily take longer. We are working to try to put new vehicles and models in place that we are satisfied will allow for significant investment that is off-balance sheet. We are working through it. I still maintain that it is frustrating trying to get clarity before signing off on a vehicle from EUROSTAT, about which the Taoiseach was corresponding. Many countries face the issue regarding investing in social infrastructure and infrastructure for transport, education and so on. If we are going to have an EU that can invest in the future, particularly while funding is low cost, we need more clarity on the issue.

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