Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Professor McHale states most analysis is ex postanalysis. Let me outline my understanding from our discussions with the Department of Finance and others involved in the process. There was a question about whether the Oireachtas committee could be involved in the stability programme update in advance of being published and considering the question of when it could take place. There are tight timelines. Data are required in March for the first quarter returns. My understanding of the process is the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council was directly involved with the Department of Finance in the process of shaping in advance of the stability programme update being written. In that case, the council’s work is ex antewith the Department. My question is whether we can include the Oireachtas in the ex anteassessment of what the stability programme update might be, even if there is a tight timeline.