Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have come from a decade where advice went unheard, unnoticed or basically dismissed, in particular by the previous Government. That has been well-documented in independent reports on the collapse of the Irish economy. One of the reports on the Department of Finance showed that advice was given to the previous Government to establish a fiscal advisory council, and I welcome the fact we are putting that on a statutory footing. However, if advice is given by a statutory body to the Department of Finance, it merits a response.

I already quoted Professor John McHale's comments in which he was very measured. Is 180 words on a stability programme update an adequate response to a 64-page document of advice put together by the fiscal advisory council? In my view, it is not adequate. I would not try to think what the Minister thinks but I do not believe anybody would believe that is an adequate response. Deputy McGrath said that the council would feel unloved, and I think that is well put. A more adequate response is required not only for the council but for the members of this committee who are teasing out their views. It is important for us to hear what the Department of Finance thinks so we can be better informed in terms of the decisions we take in the future.

The Minister indicated that he will not accept these amendments, and I accept that is his position, but I appeal to him to have a more comprehensive response in the stability programme updates from the fiscal advisory council in the future.