Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We try to avoid that to the extent that is possible. I am not precious about the contents of this, in the sense that if this can be a catalyst to begin a meaningful debate on the tax allowance and credit for working families with children, my ambition will have been realised. This went to all of the committees but this is the only one that came back. I would love if the Committee on Budgetary Oversight ran with this and if the Department of Finance and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection responded. The only Secretary General who wrote back, ironically, was the Secretary General at the Department of Education and Skills who probably would not have much input into this area at all. However, I would like it to be examined. I would not be caught up in this regard. There is a very significant cost in terms of where we have pitched it, but it would be reckless to set out to do this in a short number of years. It is about embracing the principle and seeing what can be afforded and as resources are freed up or become more available on a sustainable basis, one could then build it at the level of the allowance for the welfare recipients.