Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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We can have all the analysis we like but I am here as Minister for Finance to represent the Government. I will explain every tax measure I introduce and will debate them across the House for as long as Deputies want. That is the best evaluation of the impact of a budget. I do not think we always need to run to outsiders to do evaluations which a strong parliamentary democracy should do for itself. There is nothing I have hidden or concealed from Deputies. I have tried to answer every question they put to me. I have given reasons where I did not accept their amendments. I do not think we can access another body of knowledge somewhere else. It is a weakness of the Parliament if they do not have the self-confidence to deal with this.