John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The principle of producing a document like this for discussion, without a political tag on it, is one that I would subscribe to. Each one of us, regardless of our politics, must prompt each other to think beyond the box, and not to be controlled either by parties or by bureaucracy in the delivery of that personal message, policy or point of view. Members from other parties are here this morning. I firmly believe the committee structure should allow for this type of examination of policies and then parties can take them on. I refer to Deputy MacSharry's figures and proposals. It is good that he has said that getting the principle of this accepted is something that should be encouraged. I compliment the Deputy on the very professional way this is presented in terms of the analysis provided for us.

With the agreement of members, I recommend that we send this to the relevant Departments - it may be only the Department of Finance but if there is another one, fair enough - for their views, costings and commentary on it. We should also send the transcript of this meeting to the Departments and to the Committee on Budgetary Oversight to encourage them to analyse the document and to support the principle the Deputy has sought support for. The other principle of bringing one's brain inside the gates of Leinster House, that is, that one is not just in a political straitjacket but one has a contribution to make beyond that, should also be supported. I thank the Deputy very much for that.