I thank the Deputies for their contributions to the important debate on value for money in public expenditure. I agree that there has been a comprehensive and robust discussion. I thank the Deputies for proposing this debate and giving me the opportunity to assure the people of Ireland that the Government has put value for money at the heart of decisions on public expenditure by listing out some of the comprehensive frameworks that public bodies are obliged to follow and implement. Following on from the Minister's …

Excuse me, I did not interfere with Deputy Tóibín. He stood there and portrayed everything we are doing on this side of the House as wrong. Shame on him for portraying that.

Excuse me, Deputy. Everyone in this House had a chance to stand where I am. Every single one did but they all failed. They went to the rung of the ladder, went out on social media, went on radio and television, and talked about government but they failed to go into government. I went in because I believe I can make changes. I believe I can deliver-----

I can deliver. In my Department, we will work tirelessly to make sure we do that. I was the first one to admit-----

I was the first one to apologise to people for mistakes made. However, when people come in here and talk about bike sheds, they should get it right. Bike shelters is what they are. This is a listed building. This is a building that is cherished by people all over the world, including the people of Ireland, and we cannot just dig up, throw in and do what you bloody well like, which is what the Deputies opposite are suggesting. They talk about the security hut-----

Excuse me. They talk about the security hut. Let me remind everyone in the House, some of whom sit on the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, that nothing can happen around the Houses without the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission knowing. It in the framing of the House. Nobody asked a question about security. The hut cost €300,000 but what goes on as part of security to protect the people in this institution?

These are necessary things that had to be put in place. We have to protect the people who work here.

Is the Deputy telling me that we should not protect the people who work here? Doing so is totally wrong. It is unfair that the Deputies would come in criticising every element of what we do when we are all elected by the people and doing our best to serve them. We will continue to do so.

Sorry, it cost €300,000, and the auxiliary works attached to that-----

Sorry, but the security element of that cost the rest. I am sorry to say that, but that has to be done.

I would defend it all day.

I respect the Deputy.

Do not come in here-----

The Deputy should have gone into government. He has all the answers.

He has all the answers.

All the answers. I could list out hundreds of things.

What is the Deputy doing?

What is the Deputy doing? She is shouting across the House the whole time.

I thank the Deputy for his kind words. The OPW has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate - comprising approximately 2,500 properties - including office buildings, Garda properties, heritage properties, visitor centres and national monuments. The OPW also has responsibility for the funding and delivery of flood relief projects across the country and works with local authorities on the delivery of these schemes. The OPW endeavours to ensure best value for …

When the Deputy states I have introduced guidance, I am quite happy with that given that I am only two weeks in the job. I am quite happy to state that in four to five weeks we will be moving and changing how we do things. I am happy to say we get value for money. I went into government. I could have sat on the Opposition benches. I came into government to make changes. I know what it is to make a euro. I know what it is to spend a euro. I also know accountability is very much to the forefront of Government and for…