Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is important, when providing for legislation, that a Department have a projected cost in dealing with matters of public policy. On matters concerning the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the committee has a duty, in exercising due diligence, to ask the question. The Minister's Department has a duty to provide the answer and indicate the projected scale, rather than giving a generic response. It is important in legislating that we ask the question and that the Minister provide an answer.