Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Is Senator Bannon talking about capital or current funding? I am proud of the Government's commitment to the development programme between 2000 and 2006. It has invested €4.4 billion in water schemes throughout the country. I am certain that the six schemes to which the Senator referred have not been delayed because of shortfalls in funding. Senators are aware that schemes have to pass through various stages after they have been approved in principle. It may be the case that the schemes in question have not yet reached the final stage, which is the appointment of a contractor. We are familiar with the preliminary reports. Perhaps there is a misconception among the public. People may believe that a scheme is ready to start after permission has been given by the Department to proceed with a preliminary report, but it does not happen like that. There are many plans. I am sure that sufficient funds have been made available, under the programme between 2000 and 2006, for the completion of every scheme that has been brought to the stage at which it is ready to commence.

The Senator may have been asking about current costs and shortfalls in local authorities. The Government can be proud of its record in that regard. I refer to the increase in the local government fund, especially since 1997. I will not go into the details of that. It is for another day. The substantial increases are in sharp contrast with the type of funding that was made available pre-1997.