David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is completely unacceptable and treats this committee with contempt that we get a 24-page briefing document a couple of hours before the session. The Minister is coming in looking for an additional €1.3 billion, much of which is Covid expenditure. Then there are figures of €600 million and €500 million, and on cash reserves, etc. We are trying to figure that out. One cannot figure it out from the Minister's opening statement. That is what we got last night.

We received the briefing document only a couple of hours ago. The Minister might tell me how we can do our job and go through that document in any level of detail in a couple of hours before a session starts. The Minister knows that is unacceptable. The Minister's officials should know it is unacceptable.

To be honest, if I had my way, the Minister would be sent packing and would be coming back next week because it is no way to treat an Oireachtas committee. I do not know if it is the Minister's fault or his officials' fault, or whose fault it is, but the Minister has to accept that it is outrageous when we are already dealing with an overspend and additional money being sought, and the level of accountability that deserves, to be treated with contempt as far as I am concerned.

I have to leave for an interview at 10.10 a.m. Other members will have their own view but I have made my feelings clear. I will be back after the interview.