Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Doherty. There is no point in splitting hairs. I proposed the motion and I hope the committee will support it. I do not think there is anything in it that is partisan or meant to hit at a policy. It is just a request to the Economic Management Council to direct the Department of Finance to provide this committee with information.

We must careful. I believe the Government will today announce a reform package that will deal with how the Houses of the Oireachtas works. If we are serious about reforming this Dáil and we are serious about providing Members with appropriate information so that they can participate in the budgetary process, then what we are asking for here is the most germane information that would required of us to participate in that process. I would be very surprised if any element of this committee sought to redact information that I believe we require as part of our constitutional duty as parliamentarians. That is why I took some time in preparing the motion. I did not want it to be seen as partisan or to be seen as the old style of hauling the Minister for Finance in here in advance of the budget to try to embarrass him and force him to outline budgetary details. I have chosen not to go down that route. I will disappointed and considerably surprised if there is an effort to affect or negate that process.