Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept there may be difficulties with regard to where the Exchequer may spend it. I indicate my intention to come back with this amendment on Report Stage. There can be criteria around the circumstances under which we allow money to be redirected from these funds and we may look again at those criteria. In the case of a simple deterioration in the economic or fiscal position of the State, I believe there needs to be some mechanism which allows there to be a judgment call whereby the redirection of these funds should be towards something, or should be done where there is a reasonable expectation that reallocating such funds to the Exchequer will contribute to the kinds of things that are the ultimate goal of the fund in terms of infrastructure, climate and nature.

It may be the case that there is, for example, a national development project that needs further resources. I repeat that having better procurement policies that do not allow for supplementary charges would help to prevent that. It would be best to have quality procurement in the first place because we have seen this issue arise time and again on national development and other projects. Nonetheless, for such a project, it is important that it meets something like a criterion that would ensure it is another way in which we are furthering the national infrastructure.

I will withdraw my amendment. The point is that I do not think the money should be leaving the fund for just anything. If it is going to the Exchequer, it should be because there is a credible expectation or a credible argument put forward that by releasing these funds, we are moving towards one of the ultimate purposes and goals set when the fund was created in the first place.