Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I consider that a very serious, misleading and ludicrous accusation. To say that money is being siphoned from one project to a pet project is ridiculous. Some 99.85% of the budget was spent according to how it was primarily allocated. Some 0.15% of the budget was moved between different subheads. This is a small movement of money which happens when, for administrative reasons, money cannot be spent for whatever reason on any particular project.

In order to transfer money from one budget to another, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has to be contacted and approve the transfer. The Deputy is going far too far in suggesting that there is some kind of malice at play here. I really think it is beneath him to come out with that kind of thing.

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