Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This whole idea that good causes were ever ring-fenced is not true. Good causes could never be provided for. The money from the lottery that was supposed to go to good causes goes straight into the Exchequer, or Central Fund, and can be spent by the Government under any of the headings. As I understand it, applying moneys under heading (d), health and the community, would not stop the Government from using good causes money to plug a deficit in the Department of Health. I am not sure there is any particular requirement that the money must not become capital expenditure, although the Minister could disabuse me of that notion. As I understand it, this money might even make up a shortfall in wages in the Department. The heading on the natural environment was inserted into the legislation for very good reasons. However, as I understand it, there will be nothing whatsoever to prevent the Government or the Minister, Deputy Hogan, from paying for a sewerage scheme out of good causes money, as it is an aspect of the natural environment.