As the Minister well knows, A Government of Renewal contained a firm commitment in regard to the increase in the level of supply services one year over the next. It states:
Over the period of this Programme it is intended that the growth of current supply services spending will be constrained to a maximum of 6 per cent, in nominal terms in 1995, and to an average annual 2 per cent in real terms over the following two years of the Programme.
In the preparation of the 1996 Estimates the Minister had to overshoot the annual average inflation rate of 2 per cent, he could not adhere to that figure. What is the programme for 1997? Will the commitment contained in A Government of Renewal be adhered to because, if that is the case, it will mean the relevant increase over 1995 will not be greater than 4 per cent, the rate of inflation over those two years being somewhat less than was forecast, plus 2 per cent, resulting in a figure of less than 4 per cent. That firm commitment was given for very good reasons. Will the Minister say whether it will be adhered to in the preparation of the 1997 Estimates?