Simon Harris

And I think one of the learnings, there's been many learnings over the last few weeks, but I think that is one of the learnings.

You can't over-talk or over-engage and listen, but it's how we do that in a structured way matters.

I've said what I've said in relation to the 200 euro per child per month.

That's not just my commitment.

That's a commitment to the government of Ireland to get there during the lifetime.

I think that means making progress in each of the next four budgets, right?

That's my view.

But we also alongside that have to make progress on capacity.

And that's why this year we did for the very first time put in place capital funding to invest in public buildings.

We can't leave this to the market alone.

What I am saying is childcare will be a priority in the budget.

And there's a clear view right across government in relation to that.

I would hope we can make progress towards that in the budget in October.

But the commitment is €200 per child per month in the lifetime of the government.

That it's fundamentally untrue.

Let me tell you why.

So we have put in place measures specifically for sectors.

What has not been said is two things.

Firstly, the biggest part of the package is a reduction in excise at the pumps, which benefits most people in this country.

Most people, anybody in fact, who got in a car this morning and drove to work and uses diesel or petrol.