In this context, I am heartened by the responsible approach adopted by Ministers and their respective Departments to the overall management of public spending last year. When faced with a significant number of pressures across Votes, Ministers and their Departments contributed, in a positive and constructive way, to assisting the Government in establishing priorities and ensuring that spending at end December 2002 was slightly below the planned level for Government Departments and offices as a whole. This contributed to the surplus of €95 million achieved in 2002 and also underlined the ability of the Government to adhere to its expenditure targets. Similar resolve will be necessary this year to adhere to the overall post-budget level of expenditure.