Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 16:

In page 4, lines 21 and 22, to delete "as soon as may be" and substitute "immediately".

These amendments are quite straightforward. They are designed to ensure that there will not be a space within the legislation which might give rise to an undue delay or time lag in respect of the reporting of key budgetary decisions.

I think once a decision is made, people understand that the Government and the Cabinet make the decisions, that they are the officeholders and that is as it should be. However, I do not see any reason that those decisions, once made, cannot immediately be reported to the Oireachtas, to the Dáil. The Minister may say that the phrase "as soon as may be" indicates a requirement and some level of urgency. That may be how it is through the Minister's prism but for others the phrase, "as soon as may be" allows plenty of scope and wriggle room to delay the passing on of decisions for whatever political reason.