Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps I might jump in there. For the benefit of the Minister, we have discussed, as a committee in private session, the fact that the resources of the committee are limited enough and it is an incredibly technical subject. I did bring the issue up with the working group committee. The Taoiseach was in before the summer and he gave his informal approval that there would be some kind of Oireachtas service like the Parliamentary Budgetary Office, PBO, that would inform Members across all political parties on the subject. Deputy O'Rourke is absolutely correct. Indeed, his party unfairly came in for some stick earlier in the summer when it was being asked to come up with numbers and to take positions on highly technical policies. I think it is important to raise the issue. It is good that it has been raised with the Minister, but as a committee we should follow up on it as well, and perhaps make a representation to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.