Mr. Seamus Coffey:

On the purpose of IFAC and its role in the broader budgetary policy framework, IFAC does not have a bias for or against the provision of public supports, public services or public spending. Our view is that these should be done in a sustainable fashion. If constituents are telling Deputies that they wish for particular supports or services to be introduced, they should favour the framework in which IFAC operates as we seek to ensure that any supports or services offered by the Government are provided on the basis of sound public finances and sustainable revenue sources.

One should not increase or expand the scope of government when there may be temporary revenue sources available and offer people the hope that those services can present and then just pull that away when those temporary revenue sources are gone. We saw the pain that caused in 2009, 2010 and 2011. We do not want to go back there. It is wholly inappropriate to use temporary revenue sources to provide State supports and services. We can expand revenue, services and supports in a sustainable fashion and it is about making those choices. We are not biased one way or another per se, but we are trying to avoid coming to a position where a body such as ours must come in when the economy might be performing poorly, for example, and state that supports should be pulled from people and that taxes should be increased. That would be a terrible indictment of the broad policymaking process.