Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I fully accept taxes must cover current spending. The issue is whether we should take the opportunity to have higher capital spending. For example, our approach to public investment is in new communities. We see investment in transport, health and education arriving five years after people have occupied their homes, however. That is not a sustainable way to approach public investment. There is an opportunity to shift our dial somewhat at this stage if we can negotiate such an approach at European level.

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