Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a few questions but I will begin by sharing the frustrations felt by other members of the committee. Our job is to scrutinise the work leading up to the budget and analyse the previous budget as we go on. It is a new committee and we are still feeling our way through this. There is a suggestion that simply asking a question amounts to scrutiny but we need to get answers as well. I know the point was made that it is not a new thing and that something would happen during the year that would necessitate additional funds being allocated somewhere, but what is new is our committee and the work we are doing so it must fit in somewhere. This means an adjustment on all sides. I have a concern that we should all reflect on our roles in this and that the wrong attitude might be developing on all sides. We are here to work together to achieve certain outcomes. This involves a certain level of respect on all sides to members and witnesses who appear before the committee.

In respect of the issues raised by Deputies Calleary and Doherty regarding the €200 million that appeared in a very short timeframe, speaking as an Opposition Deputy, it makes our task of putting together an alternative budget impossible. We cannot do that if we are operating off a completely different amount of money. While things can change at certain periods, it is the timeframe of change with which members have a difficulty. We did flag that quite early on.

The fiscal space has been touched upon and I do not want to revisit it. In terms of capital investment, it appears that the UK takes a much longer-term approach, looks at a 30-year capital investment plan and reviews it every five years. Have the witnesses considered the idea of a national infrastructure commission with a 30-year plan being examined that will transcend different Dálaí and go beyond a five-year term? Could Mr. Watt tell me whether the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has access to the necessary expertise to engage in this type of long-term planning?