Sean Barrett (Independent)

There is an important point in Senator Cullinane's amendment. Yesterday's debate did not refer to the savings to be made from the abolition of these two agencies. I am trying to get a more cost-conscious approach to the issues arising from the McLoughlin report. The Government needs to live within budgets, but no statement has been made on how much will be saved in this context. At the time, it might have seemed like a good idea to abolish both agencies but we have to see what costs and savings are involved. Will it enable us, as we all want, to build more houses in Limerick? I would be obliged if the Minister of State could give us an estimate of the savings from the abolition of the two quangos.