Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The Senator will appreciate that I cannot predict the details of the Minister for Finance's budget, nor can any other Deputy or Minister who might come before this House. There is a commitment to this and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, has made a very valiant case for the project.

All of us in public life must deal responsibly with an issue like this and I agree with Senator Terry that Abbotstown is a worthy project. While I am not the world's most avid sports fan, I believe it is a development that will contribute hugely to the life of the nation. It ill behoves us, as was done when the proposal was first mooted, to spend our time destructively scoring political points. We should take the appropriate approach, as Senator Terry has done, and be supportive of the positive aspects of development. The Minister's personal and continuing support for the project cannot be questioned.

The question of what will be allocated to mult-annual budget envelopes will be resolved on an inter-ministerial basis between now and budget day. The Senator will appreciate that my job is to obtain as much money as possible in my Department's envelope and I know that the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, is doing the same, and doing it very well, for his Department.