Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is true to say that the Exchequer returns of yesterday were heavily flattered by the AIB receipt and the €3 billion referred to. There is essentially a political problem in the sense that expectations are building up with such flattering net figures. People want to see schools being built and hospitals being built and refurbished. Many old machines in hospitals have now run their life's course having been bought before the beginning of the collapse.

We cannot blame people for having these expectations. However, we should be careful what we say to people. The Minister may form his own view in due course but his predecessor in particular held firmly to the view that the release of extra capital investment would overheat the economy. Given our growing population and poor infrastructure, we desperately need additional investment in various areas, especially in areas of public transport and carbon saving. Has the Minister reconsidered, or has he had a chance to reconsider, the position in that regard?

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