Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This committee, at very short notice, must make some contribution towards the 2017 budget. Many of the agencies that have appeared before us have said that there are good times ahead, possibly in 2018 or 2019 but it seems that 2017 will be another tight year, as has been the case for the last seven years. Are we, for example, exaggerating the potential impact of Brexit? In the context of Norway, Switzerland or even Iceland over the last few years, should we be more relaxed about Brexit and not allow it to hang over our budgetary programme for 2017 like a sword of Damocles? Should we not be prepared to put our best foot forward?