Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

This debate is an opportunity to consider how, where and why the Government spends taxpayers' money and to establish how effectively it is targeting areas of need nationally. We must assess whether spending is reaching areas of need or falling short. If it is falling short, we must establish to what extent. These issues have been teased out all evening with strong statements from Senator John Paul Phelan in which he contended that while a great deal of money was being provided, it was being spent recklessly and irresponsibly. I do not intend to do the Senator an injustice as he is not here to correct me if I am wrong. I wish he were, but I gleaned from his comments——