Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Senator’s comments. However, this legislation has to pass. While the Bill is seven pages long, the schedules are lengthy and have been agreed by all of the 27 EU countries. I do not think any country can unilaterally change them without the consent of the other 26. The points the Senator makes will be very appropriate in the context of the upcoming budget discussions when we return after the summer recess and the revised capital plan that is necessary now we are coming out of Covid. Social funding and the level of funding by all State organisations will be and should be in that capital plan, whether it is borrowing directly through the European Investment Bank or from whatever other source. There will be a good opportunity in the discussions on the budget and the new capital plan to tease out everything the Senator has just raised. It is not appropriate to this legislation today but the points will be fully taken on board when we come to that debate after the summer recess. I am not in a position to accept the amendment.