David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We often hear from some commentators that politicians, particularly those of us in Leinster House, live in a bubble but it is nothing compared to the officials in the Department of Finance because I do not see any empathy in some of the commentary I have heard regarding the level of pressure on public spending and ordinary working people. That is a different story and it is just my opinion. At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, the Minister said that the fiscal rules are not fit for purpose in light of Ireland's demographic situation and capital needs. He seems to be a step ahead of officials in the Department of Finance.