Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not have a time-line for that. What we have done is focus on what could be afforded in the time-line that I have. I do not wish to stray into even more dangerous territory but the expenditure that we have signed up for already for next year has generated some controversy, with people saying we are profligate in our spending. As it happens, I was the guest at a dinner last night of the Retired Civil and Public Servants Association, which represents everybody. There were teachers, prison officers, civil servants and a variety of people at my table and I spoke to everybody there. They fully appreciate what is being done. They understand that as the horizon improves, there will be an imperative on whoever holds my office to unwind this at the quickest pace the economy will allow. Ultimately, as the emergency abates the legal robustness of the legislation will become more fragile.