Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

The Government is cutting capital expenditure, which provides our one chance of creating jobs and getting people off welfare. Fianna Fáil has proposed a capital expenditure programme amounting to 3.5% of GDP. The Government's fudge of a programme contains some of our plans, but has no new plans of its own. In fact, the only project prioritised by the Government parties is the one project they opposed trenchantly in Opposition, which is the construction of the national children's hospital. How ironic that every other project they supported seems to have gone by the wayside while the project they cynically opposed is getting the go ahead. We are glad they have seen sense.

Last December, the Minister, Deputy Burton, stated that even with public finances under pressure, we need to invest in the delivery of the 21st century infrastructure networks that we need to enhance competitiveness and drive growth. That is exactly the opposite of what the Government is doing today. What has happened to change Government policy to such an extent that it is cutting €700 million from important infrastructure projects? It is most unusual for the Labour Party to cut capital spending. Labour Party Members boast about 40 new schools and 180 extensions to schools. By doing so, they are allegedly prioritising education. What about the summer works scheme that has been completely eliminated? What about minor works for schools that have been completely eliminated? What about the third level sector? That has been completely eliminated under the capital budget. Constructing 180 extensions to schools represents four to five schools on average per constituency. There are seven schools with two miles of my house that need an extension.