Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 February 2014
47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if a Government bond for the purpose of providing the necessary resources to address the housing crisis might fall within the realm of the guidelines laid down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of public expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9949/14]
View answerThe primary role of the National Treasury Management Agency is to ensure that sufficient funding is available at all times to meet the day-to-day requirements of the Exchequer. It is a matter for the Agency to decide when and how much to borrow in the light of those needs, commercial considerations surrounding the raising of debt on the markets and the need to maintain an appropriate level of liquidity. All monies raised through Government borrowing are paid into the Central Fund and used to fund Government spending as approved by the Oireachtas. It has never been the custom to link borrowing to specific projects as to do so would limit the flexibility of the Government in managing the State's finances.
