Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Duncan Smith for his questions. I would like to correct several incorrect statements which he made. First, I was available to come to the committee. The Chair and I had detailed communications on that and I am more than happy for Deputy Smith to discuss that with the Chair. That suggestion, therefore, is absolutely untrue.

Deputy Smith, and not the committee, has also suggested that is it unacceptable that I come here with a plan that is still in development. I imagine that the Labour Party has not finalised its alternative budget yet. It is not outrageous for the Deputy to not be able to present that alternative budget plan because he and his colleagues are still working on it.