Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like other members, I thank the Ministers for giving up their time and coming before the committee on this particularly important subject. I have just a few short queries. In the aftermath of all the problems we have had, be they economic, health-related, Brexit or the pandemic, what is the most appropriate fiscal role and policy for us to follow in the years to come?

For instance, should we adopt something similar to the growth development policies and restrictions of the European Union or the eurozone or, alternatively, should we find a course in between, given that it is important that we do not run off on our own on a spending splurge or that we do not forget from where we came and all the difficulties we had extricating ourselves from that situation? At the same time, are we recognising fully the problem that faces the general public? After experiencing hard times for so long and being crushed for so long, do we need to give them some kind of encouragement or incentive in recognition of the efforts they have made and in view of the fact that we cannot recover all the expenditure in a year or two years but that, with the passage of time and growth, we will recover some of the ground? That is a question for both Ministers. They should divide responsibility and divide burdens.