Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Coffey to the bowels of the bubble, where Brexit, the budget and balancing are what it is all about. I thank him for his advice both earlier in the year and at other times. It sounds solid to me. I reiterate what Deputy Cullinane said about politicians who, unfortunately, do not always make the decisions that need to be made in the interests of the country but ones that will please the electorate.

When Mr. Coffey appeared before the committee in June, he presented an analysis of a potentially hard Brexit. He has had much time since to consider what further implications there might be. Will he give an update or share his concerns that may not be in the public domain? He mentioned the issue of pre-commitments that should be reversed in 2020. Will he elaborate on that matter?

We all know about the health and social protection overspends, but are other areas susceptible to demographic changes in the coming years?

On taxation and social welfare policy, will Mr. Coffey elaborate on the merits of indexation compared to a series of ad hocchanges?

As a Border Deputy, I would like Mr. Coffey to comment on the issue of a sectoral response to climate change.

If there is not dual thinking from a North-South or an east-west point of view, is there a serious danger of major leakages in revenue streams? Could we move back to a situation where there is no consultation between our Department of Finance and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in respect of VAT and income tax, or for example on the issue of carbon tax?