Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

People on all sides of the House are unhappy with the definition. I am not saying that I support the amendment, but I feel that the definition of officials should be considered by the Minister.

It seems that the Sunday newspapers will no longer include details of correspondence between the Minister for Finance and other Ministers. Such correspondence has reassured me in all cases, as it has shown that the Minister, Deputy McCreevy, is doing his job, which is to challenge spending programmes and plans. Those of us who have been involved in Government know that Departments sometimes ask for astronomical increases in funding.

I will abuse this opportunity by mentioning one such issue. Some of the plans for Dublin's transport infrastructure seem to be absolutely astronomical. Why should we spend billions of euro on a new tunnel to connect Heuston Station and Connolly Station, given that a tunnel between the stations already exists? We should examine how projects can be pursued economically, rather than choosing the most deluxe and imaginative project which costs the most astronomical sum of money. This matter has been discussed by the infrastructure sub-committee on many occasions.