Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not propose to accept the amendment. While it is an interesting proposal, it would not be acceptable under the common principles as this could be seen as a threat to the independence of the council. One concern expressed to the Department by the fiscal council during the preparation of the legislation was the possibility of a Minister allocating additional functions without additional resources. This concern was echoed by the troika. I took it on board by ensuring that the functions of the fiscal council, as stated in the Bill, do not provide for additional functions to be given to the council. The allocation of additional functions will require amending legislation, which will ensure an opportunity to discuss appropriately matching resources. The same point applies to this amendment.

On the question of abuse, most Oireachtas committees have a government majority, and a malign Government could abuse this amendment by directing its members on a committee to vote in a particular way. The provision that any additional functions can only be allocated to the council through primary legislation is a much stronger safeguard than what the Deputy contemplates here.