Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I am coming to it. The Deputy did mention the cost of living. Just as he dealt with the question, I will reply to him in like fashion. What we did in the budget in raising public expenditure was to invest in services that matter to people, so we prioritised disability, child poverty and infrastructure for more roads, rail, buses, schools and healthcare facilities across the board. That matters to people.

In fairness to the Deputy, he left Fianna Fáil a long time ago and is now an Independent. His concern for our members is touching but I respectfully suggest that we will deal with that within our party in terms of the issues. The law is the law in respect of deposits and returns. The people will decide. I know we cannot comment on the presidency.

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