Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Chambers for her questions. On information flow, I would hope that we will make a big start on this by the publication of the mid-year expenditure report. We will look to share with the committee where we are for this year and where we believe we will start for next year and will outline in as clear a manner as we can the kinds of factors we think will influence expenditure across next year.

I appreciate the attitude in which this is being framed. It will take a little bit of time, across this year, to understand better the views of the Oireachtas regarding how that information can be presented and figure out how we can best respond. In a few weeks' time we will make all of this information available. The committee will receive us very shortly after the Cabinet does, so that is how we look to respond.

In terms of obstacles to a more continuous information flow, within the expenditure end of the equation I think we will be a bit better able to manage some of the risks that the Minister for Finance will have to deal with. There are more unexpected changes in terms of what can happen with revenue than there are in terms of expenditure. The way I aim to respond is to adopt the proposal made by Deputy Burton. Information comes to the Cabinet on a structured basis about where we are with expenditure. Within a reasonable timeframe after that, I will make that information available to this committee or the sectoral committee. We will need to think through the format, but I will aim to make as much information available as I can.

In terms of the sectoral committees and their engagement, this year I hope engagement will start the week after the mid-year expenditure report is published. The report will give individual committees a lot of information about the starting point for next year and, hopefully, will frame their ability to develop proposals. Across the period in which the independent office is being set up to support the Deputy's work, we will give any help we can in terms of costing proposals or giving impartial feedback on information or ideas that are put forward.