Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Hayden. She has presented a very wide-ranging list of comments.

I would just raise one issue of my own. The Commission is sailing close to the wind in relation to some of the recommendations it is making and may actually be overstepping its mark, particularly in the first recommendation, where it suggests that government expenditure ceilings should be more binding by limiting the statutory scope for discretionary changes. I noted in the witnesses' presentation that they are extremely alarmed by this. I share that alarm, because we have already put in place very rigorous criteria in the form of the fiscal compact treaty, an intergovernmental treaty signed by 25 of the then 27 member states. These criteria are more than enough to enable governments to plan and to keep government expenditure in check. I do not see the need for additional criteria. It is interesting to note that some European countries are now looking for a relaxation of the fiscal compact criteria. For instance, the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Matteo Renzi, suggests that capital expenditure be included as part of the criteria and France is also examining the fiscal compact criteria. I wonder if the witnesses would agree with me that when it comes to this particular recommendation, the Commission is being overly critical of the Irish State and excessive in its requirements of us. It does not reflect the changing economic environment that we are now entering in the European sphere. Would the witnesses care to comment on whether all of these recommendations are fully current? There is quite a range of comments.

Deputy Kyne has asked me to express his apologies. He had to attend the agriculture committee as well, but will note from the written record the witnesses' responses to his comments.