Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If I could come in there, I believe that the balance of decision-making between the Oireachtas and the Government is broadly correct. Putting together a budget, with all the decisions relating to it, is at the core of the ability of a Government to do its work, meet its commitments in the programme for Government and to have the ability to initiate and complete an annual budgetary process. There are always opportunities for us to engage with and better explain our work to the Oireachtas and hear the views of others. I have been present at many such debates over the years and have always listened to what the members of the committee have said and tried to respond to them. There are core issues that are fundamental to the Government regarding its being charged with producing a budget and then, because we have a history of majority governance in our country, although that changed during the previous Dáil, the Finance Bill and Estimates have been the preserve of the Government. It is not a balance I would be recommending we change at the moment. I am sure if there was a majority Green Party government, the Chairperson would be eager to ensure that its budget reflected the majority Green Party within that government. It is a balance that I think is appropriate, but there are always opportunities to look at how we can share information more effectively and hear the views of others. I will try to do that in this Dáil.