Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Minister's comments and I acknowledge his role. I always thought it very strange that there was no economist available within the Department. The former Minister, Batt O'Keeffe, made some arrangements in that respect. However, Forfás did much very good work for the State in the 20 years or so of its existence. It produced a great number of reports and I thank all those who served Forfás at staff and board level. However, it is most important that the policy function of the Department, as well as the policy function that now is moving into the Department, still will retain the ability to challenge the Department and the Government on economic policy in the manner in which Forfás has done. If this ability becomes neutered in any way, I will be the first to call the Minister out on it.

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