Funding the Dublin West spending promise
L'Estrange asked how the Government would fund an alleged £45 million Dublin West by-election commitment if there were no savings. Barrett said he knew of no such promise and maintained that the Estimates were budgeted for except for £2 million.
Arising out of the Minister of State's reply, surely he does not expect us to believe that the only sum not provided for in the budget is one of £2 million? Surely he is aware that there was a promise given at the Dublin West by-election to spend £45 million? That was the reason I put down that question. If there have been no savings to date and if we have had Supplementary Estimates last year of £599 million, the previous year to the tune of £477 million and the preceding year to the tune of £360 million odd, where does the Minister expect to find this £45 million? Therefore is the rumour not true that we will have a second budget in the month of October?
Comment on this
(Clare): As I said in my reply, except for £2 million, the remainder was provided for in the budget and that is a fact. And I am not aware of any promises or commitments costing £45 million given in the Dublin West by-election. Therefore I do not know where the Deputy gets his figure.