asked the Minister for Finance if he will identify the sources from which he expects to fund the public capital programme next year.

The financing of next year's public capital programme will as usual be published around budget time next year. It is not the practice to disclose such information in advance of this time.

Is the Minister aware of fears that the Government intend to raid the pension funds of various semi-State organisations to finance the public capital programme next year? Will he ensure that the Government will not raid these funds about which various potential beneficiaries are in dread?

I will not respond to the implications in the Deputy's queries. I have already indicated to the House that the Government will look at a variety of possibilities, including an investment plan, the details of which will be announced very soon.