Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I welcome the Minister on behalf of the Labour Party. As Senator O'Keeffe has said, we are delighted to see him in the House. We are delighted he has been given this portfolio. We are delighted that this Bill, which establishes the Department of public expenditure and reform, has cross-party support. As Senator Barrett said, we accept the need to reform the Department of Finance and to overhaul expenditure management and public service reform. The seriousness with which the Government is undertaking this task is demonstrated by the fact that this Bill is being brought through the Oireachtas. We spoke this morning about the unfortunate manner in which it is being dealt with in this House in a single day. I know the Minister, Deputy Howlin, shares our sense of regret that it has to be done in this way. In future, we will try to ensure more time is made available to debate Bills.

This largely technical Bill will establish a much-needed Department with, as the Minister said, a reform agenda at its heart. The Minister spoke about economic reforms. Senator O'Keeffe has spoken about the need for the comprehensive spending review that the Department will undertake. She referred to it as a "housekeeping" review. I want to refer to another vital aspect of the role of the Minister and the new Department. We all know that on the doorsteps, the task of constitutional reform was almost as significant for people as economic reform. The programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a constitutional convention. There is great excitement about that among citizens generally. We need to see progress with that aspect of these reforms. I know that will be a priority for the Minister. I welcome the Bill. I am delighted that the Minister is with us to debate it.